Full text of "Biographical and historical record of Vermillion County, Indiana : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; a condensed history of the state of Indiana; portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Vermillion county, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the county and its villages"

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Biographical, and historical.
RECORD OF Vermillion
Co., IND.

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I ^E<^OI^D

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VEEMILLKM COUITY. mPIAIA

CoxT.viNiNG Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to
Cleveland, with accompanying Biographies of bach; A Condensed History of the
State of Indiana; Portraits and Biographies of some of the Prominent
Men of the State: Engravings of Prominent Citizens in
Vermillion County, with Personal Histories of many
OF THE Leading Families, and a Concise His-
tory OF the County and its
Cities and Villages.

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY'

113 Adams Street, Chicago

#
.,##&^

'■■■■■"■aa^i

1218Jil2

PRESIDENTS OF THE UMTED

STATES.

George Wasliington

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

James Madison

2()

James Monroe

^:ri

John Quincy Adams

:;8

Andrew Jackson

4'i

Martin Van Buren

ry^

William Henry Harrison

r,(i

John Tyler

James K. Polk

Zachary Taylor

Millard Fillmore

Franklin Pierce

James Buchanan

Abraham Lifleoln

Andrew Johnson

Ulysses S. Grant

Rutherford B. Hayes U>2

James A. Garfield W-i

Chester A. Arthur 11:1

Grover Clereland 117

HISTORY OF IM)1AXA.

Former Occupants 120

Pre-Historic Uacos 12:!

Exploration by the Whites . . .12.">

National Policies 120

Expeditions of Colonel George

Pv. Clark 127

Government ol the Northwest.. 129
Expeditions of St. Clair and

Wayne 132

Organization of Indiana Terri-
tory 133

Governor Harrison and the In-
dians 134

Civil Matters 130

General Review

Ornani/ati<in of the State

Imliana in the Mexican War ..

Iiuliana in the War for tlie
Union ^

Financial

Internal Improvements

Geology

Agricultural

Eduraticmal

Benevolent and Penal Institu-
tions

PROMINEJiT MEN OF
INDIANA.

Oliver P. Morton
Thomas A. llendric
Schuyler Colfax...
James D. Williams.
Robert Dale Owen.

^^--f->

History of Vermillion County,^-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Anderson, N. C.
Anderson, P. Z
Andrews, John.
Asbury, James .
Aye, H. H... .
Aye, Henry. . .".

Bales, Caleb . . .
Bales, Caleb . . . .
Bales, Robert . .

Bales, W. F

Bales, William..
Beauchamp, J. ^

Beck, A. J

Beckman, L. H
Bell, D. W

Bell, T. W

Bell, W. M

Benefiel, W. H....

Bertolet, J. R

Betson, A. J

Betson, Hamilton .

Bilsland, J. E

Bilsland, John

Bishop, F. M

Bishop, L. O

Blair, James

Bogart, J. H

Bogart, W. C

Bowman, Moses . .

Bremer, W. P

Brindlev, Eli

Brindley, .)i>hu ...

Burns, Jusepli

Burnside, J. 11. . . .

4(!.")

Cade, Henry

...498

.-)l(i

Cady, II, S

....4119

;!(ii

Camiiliell .] . (i

... 340

407

Caniii.rk, J F

....374

:M7

earmark, W , P

....410

410

Carter, M. 11

....323

:i24

Carither.s Jonathan

....482

2:«

Casebeer, Hezekiah

....514

.512

Casebeer,J.W

. . . :J7 1

320

Gates, W.H

....401

518

Clark, John

....390

400

Clover, J. A

. . . 37.5

410

Coffin, S. W

. . . .:i88

.118

Coil, Lewis

...4.53

:V2:i

Collett, John

....311

:li(7

Collett, John

....441

.-.10

Collett, Josephus

....4-17

. ■ ■ ■ .- ■ ■ ■ - ■ - ■ ^ ■ - ■ -■- ■ - ■ - ■^■-■-■-■-■-■■■■'■■■■^■-■'-■■'^

CoUett, Joseplius 450

Collelt, S. S 309

Collett, S. S 877

Couley, H. H 347

Conley, Jeiemiali 488

Combes, F. C 439

Codk, W. C 459

Orabb, Ct. A 362

Craig, R. A 406

Curtis, Philo 513

Ciisliman, Tliomaa 321

Dallas, Hugh 354

Davis, C. S 459

Davis, F. M 332

Davis, Robert 501

Davis, S.B 267

Downing, Decatur 319

Diingan, B. F 277

Dunlap, J. R 495

Duzan, James 453

Eaton, H.C

Eclwanls, G. W

515

398

4G2

Elder, J. A

Ellis, J. E

333

413

Finney, D. TV 340

Flaugher, E. A 363

Fleshraan, Amos 395

Foland, J. A 516

FoncaDon,Tilgliman 473

Ford, John 402

Formau, Amos 465

Fortner,W. P 498

Fox, J. L 491

Gessie, R. J 336

Gibson, O. 15 452

Goft; Philander 388

Goodwin, L. L 402

Goodwin, W. A 407

Gouty, David 438

(irimes, H. L 417

Grimes, John 485

Groves, W. C 455

Hall, S.J 475

Hall, W. 1 433

Hamilton, W. iM 449

Harkness, Philo 412

Harlan, Eldridge 323

llarlin, John 406

Harrison, Benjamin 318

Harrison, ('. B 389

Harris n, Robert 477

Harrison, T. II 363

Haworth, G. F 499

Haworth, J. P 422

Hedges, C. C 511

Hedges, Noah 385

Helt, Daniel 414

Helt, Hiram 510

Helt, Michael 390

Henderson, John 340

Henderson, Josiali 493

Hendricks, W. J 505

Herbert, W. J 397

HighfiU, John 3!i!)

Hill, Judge A 51:.

Hollingsworlh, Simeon I^H

Hoobler, John .

Hood, T. S 496

Hood, W. B 5i)8

Hood, W. H 451

Hopkins, A. R 485

Hopkins, G. R 436

Hosford, M. G 346

Hosford. Philo 3.53

Hosford, W. N 410

Houchin, Jesse 373

Houchin, J. S 517

Hughes, Ehud 492

Hughes, William 433

Hunt, Harvey 478

lies, Jacob 333

lies, J. B 339

Jackson, G. AV 451

Jackson, J. C 35 1

Jacobs, Nathan 4!57

James, Edmund 507

James, H. B 407

James, H. H 466

James, S. R 411

James, W. A 373

James, Z. D 361

Jarvis, J. W 497

Jenkins, J. M 494

Jones, Wiley 455

Jones, William 519

Kearns, J. S 413

Kerns, A. H 519

Kerns, W. F 404

Keyes, C. F 430

Keyes, O. M 480

Kibby, Thomas 358

Kiuderman, Alexander 332

Knowles, C. B 343

Knowles, J. E 348

Lacey, E. A 344

Lamb, Elias 386

Lamb, I. R 403

Langston, J. F 380

Leilon, N. T 383

Lewis, Joshua 351

Lewis, J. C 396

Lewis, J. J 377

Lindsey, John 379

Linn, J. H :i,'5

Little, R. P :;7s

Lusadder, Homer .."■ :

Lynn, J. C 4-'>^

Mack, A. L 409

Mack, Krastus 503

-Malnue, .Mrs. Sarah 383

-Malone.S.W 499

jMarlin, Aaron 417

Matthews, Claude 489

McBelh, David 370

McFall, W. D 466

McKnight, L. A 437

McNeill, 6. H 317

McNeill, John 316

McNeill, J. R 314

Merriman, P. M 413

Metzger, Rezin 339

Miller, Jacob 425

Mitchell, T.J 462

Mitchell, T.J 477

Mock, G. L 403

Moflatt, R. D 518

Moore, Joseph 481

Morehead, J. A 428

Morey, W. L 351

Morgan, B. H 444

Myers, T. B 514

Nebeker, Henry 474

Nebeker, Seymour 48:1

Newlin, A. R 34.".

Nichols, J. M 157

Nichols, T. J 4(11

Nichols, William 3.-)il

Nixon, R. H 381

Nolan, Madison 431

Norris, John 'iurt

Osborn, James 498

Osmou, J. B 479

Parrett, J. W 356

Pearman, Adam 510

Peer, John 383

Peer, J. L 486

Peer, Robert 503

Peters, J. C 470

Peters, J. L 475

Pinson, A. J .507

Pinson,T. P .504

Ponton, J. T 359

Ponton, O. P. M 355

Porter, W. L 343

Porter, W. W 380

Potts, C. P 314

Pritchard, Elias 313

Skidmore, John

509

Walter, Frederick

...334

Skidmore, Josiah

378

Walthall, T.E

..505

Ranger, D. A

469

Skidmore, T.J

387

Walthall, W.B

..443

Redman, J. W

489

Skidmore, William

376

Ward.C. W....

..338

Reed, D. A

873

Skidmore, W. U

399

Washburn, J. Q

..341

Reed, L. H

5^0

Slaer, William

374

Watkins, H. T

..424

Reeder, J.W

403

Smith, David

461

Watson, G. L

..454

Reynolds, G. H

Rbeuby, William

Rhoads, M. G

SUO

415

327

Smith, James

Smith, J. M

Smith, J. L

437

427

254

Watson G. W

407

503

Wells, George

..488

Rice, Isaac

474

Sparks, E. G

439

Wells, Horace

..485

Rice,W. Y

460

Sparks, G. B

454

Whipple, L.R

..342

Richardson, John

488

Spotswood, E. T

467

Whitcomb,A. L

..470

Ricliardson, J. B

381

Sprouls, Andrew

479

Whitcomb, John

457

Riley, F. M

364

Staats, J. H.'.

512

White, J. A

..509

Roberts, James

359

Stab), J. U

481

White, R.M

. .387

Rodgers, Elisha

Rogers, J. O

497

Stokes, R. B

328

Whited, J. W

327

Strain, D. E

422

Whitted, Enoch

..400

333

Stullz, G. W

Sturn, Henry

424

349

Wilson, J. H

Wood, William

..463
.408

Rufker, R. M

487

Rudy, M.J

Runyan, Daniel

325

350

Stutler, J C

401

Wright, F.M

Wright, L. a

403

Swinehart, R. H

372

..506

Rush, Fred

338

Switzer, Wesley

434

Wright, John

..315

Rush, James

314

Wright, Milton

..484

Russell, William

501

391

456

480

Wright, William

392

Zeruer, Adam

Samuels, S. H

Thompson, Thomas

Tillotson, D. G

Tillotson, G. B

375

476

478

470

Sanders, J. A

335

517

Tipton, Captain

511

Saxton, G. W

Todd, S.N

464

GENERAL HISTORY.

Scott, L. S

418

Scott, M.W

333

Introductory

..133

Sears, Daniel

Sears, R.B

436

352

Underwood, Jacob

411

Aboriginal

Governmental

..188
..200

483

389

Shepard, Lewis

Clinton Township

..230

Shew, Eli

431

Vansickle, Edgar

506

Helt Township

Vermillion Township

..242

Shew, Henry

491

..257

Shew, Leonard

430

Eugene Township

27S

Shute, Daniel

339

Highland Township

Perrysville

..288

Shute, Ephraim

440

Wade, A. H

337

..292

Skidmore, G. F

423

Walker, C.P

418

Pioneers

.302

^tm^naiwe.

Adams, John. .. .- 15

Adams, John Quincy 39

Arthur, Chester A 112

Buchanan, James 81

Cleveland, Giover .116

Colfax, Schuyler 168

Collett, John 310

Davis, S. B 266

Fillmore, Millard 73

Garfield, James A 108

Grant, Ulysses S 97

Harrison,"Willlam Henry .57

Hayes, Rutherford B 103

Hendricks, Thomas A 164

Jackson, Andrew 46

Jefferson, Thomas 21

Johnson, Andrew 92

Kinderman, Alexander 332

Lincoln, Abraham 85

Madison, James 27

Monroe, James 33

Morgan, B. H 445

Morton, Oliver P 160

Owen, Robert Dale.: 176

Pierce, Franklin 77

Polk, James K 65

Riley, F. M 306

Riley, Mrs. M. M 367

Taylor, Zachary 69

Tyler, John 61

Van Buren, Martin ,53

Washington, George 8

Walker, Charles P 419

Whitcomb, A. L 471

Williams, James D 172

Wright, William 393

^iPSlDENTS *

^/^y^^^/C^.^^^C^^-^'^

EORGE WASHING-
TON, the " Father of
his Country" and its
first President, 1789-
'97, was born Febru-
ary 22, 1732, in Wasii-
ington Parish, West-
moreland Count y, Virginia.
His father, Augustine Wash-
ington, first married Jane But-
ler, who bore him four chil-
dren, and March 6, 1730, he
married Mary Ball. Of six
children by his second mar-
riage, George was the eldest,
the others being Betty, Samuel, John, Au-
gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the
youngest died in infancy. Little is known
of the early years of Washington, beyond
the fact that the house in which he was
born was burned during his early child-
hood, and that his father thereupon moved
to another farm, inherited from his paternal
ancestors, situated in Stafford County, on
the north bank of the Rappahannock, where
he acted as agent of the Principio Iron
Works in the immediate vicinity, and died
there in 1743.

From earliest childhood George devel-
oped a noble character. He had a vigorous
constitution, a fine form, and great bodily
Strength. His education was somewhat de-

fective, being confined to the elementary
branches taught him by his mother and at
a neighboring school. He developed, how-
ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en-
joyed in that branch the instructions of a
private teacher. On leaving school he re-
sided for some time at Mount Vernon with
his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as
his guardian, and who had married a daugh-
ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto-
mac, the wealthy William Fairfax, for some
time president of the executive council of
the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law,
Lawrence Washington, had served with dis-
tinction in 1740 as officers of an American
battalion at the siege of Carthagena, and
were friends and correspondents of Admiral
Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on
the Potomac has been named. George's
inclinations were for a similar career, and a
midshipman's warrant was procured for
him, probably through the influence of the
Admiral ; but through the opposition of his
mother the project was abandoned. The
family connection with the Fairfaxes, how-
ever, opened another career for the young
man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap-
pointed surveyor to the immense estates of
the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then
on a visit at Belvoir, and who shortly after-
ward established his baronial residence at
Green way Court, in the Shenandoah Valley.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

Three years were passed by )'Oung Wash-
ington in a rough frontier life, gaining ex-
perience which afterward proved very es-
sential to him.

In 1751, when the Virginia militia were
put under training wiih a view to active
service against France, Washington, though
only nineteen years of age, was appointed
Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep-
tember of that year the failing health of
Lawrence Washington rendered it neces-
sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and
George accompanied him in a vo3-age to
Barbadoes. They returned earl3' in 1752,
and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav-
ing his large property to an infant daughter.
In his will George was named one of the
executors and as eventual heir to Mount
Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece
soon succeeded to that estate.

On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752
the militia was reorganized, and the prov-
ince divided into four districts. Washing-
ton was commissioned by Dinwiddle Adju-
tant-General of the Northern District in
1753, and in November of that year a most
important as well as hazardous mission was
assigned him. This was to proceed to the
Canadian posts recently established on
French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand
in the name of the King of England the
withdrawal of the French from a territory
claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had
been declined by more than one officer,
since it involved a journey through an ex-
tensive and almost unexplored wilderness
in the occupancy of savage Indian tribes,
either hostile to the English, or of doubtful
attachment. Major Washington, however,
accepted the commission with alacrit)' ; and,
accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached
Fort Le Boeuf on French Creek, delivered
his dispatches and received reply, which, of
course, was a polite refusal to surrender the
posts. This reply was of such a character

as to induce the Assembly of Virginia td
authorize the executive to raise a regiment
of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining
the asserted rights of the British crown
over the territory claimed. As Washing-
ton declined to be a candidate for that post,
the command of this regiment was given t(j
Colonel Joshua Fr\', and Major Washing-
ton, at his own request, was commissioned
Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Oiiio,
news was received that a party previously
sent to build a fort at the confluence of the
Monongahela with the Ohio had been
driven back bv a considerable French force,
which had completed the work there be-
gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honcM-
of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor
of Canada. This was the beginning of the
great " French and Indian war," which ccmi-
tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel
Fry, Washington succeeded to the com-
mand of the regiment, and so well did he
fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly
commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief
of all the forces raised in the colony.

A cessation of all Indian hostility on the
frontier having followed the expulsion of
the French from the Ohio, the object of
Washington was accomplished and he re-
signed his commission as Commander-in-
Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro-
ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in
the General Assembly, of which he had
been elected a member.

January 17, 1759, Washington married
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de-
voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter-
rupted only by his annual attendance in
winter upon the Colonial Legislature at
Williamsburg, until summoned by his
country to enter upon that other arena in
which his fame was to become world wide.

It is unnecessary here to trace the details
of the struggle upon the question of local

self-government, which, after ten years, cu!
minated by act of Parliament of the port of
Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia
that a congress of all the colonies was called
to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774,
to secure their common liberties — if possible
by peaceful means. To this Congress
Colonel Washington was sent as a dele-
gate. On dissolving in October, it recom-
mended the colonies to send deputies to
another Congress the following spring. In
ihe meantime several of the colonies felt
impelled to raise local forces to repel in-
sults and aggressions on the part of British
troops, so that on the assembling of the next
Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara-
tions of the mother country were unmis-
takable. The battles of Concord and Lex-
ington had been fought. Among the earliest
acts, therefore, of the Congress was the
selection of- a commander-in-chief of the
colonial forces. This office was unani-
mously conferred upon Washington, still a
member of the Congress. He accepted it
on June 19, but on the express condition he
should receive no salary.

He immediately repaired to the vicinity
of Boston, against which point the British
ministry had concentrated their forces. As
early as April General Gage had 3,000
troops in and around this proscribed city.
During the fall and winter the British policy
clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub-
lic sentiment and to build up a British party
in the colonies. Those who sided with the
ministr)' were stigmatized by the patriots
as " Tories," while the patriots took to them-
selves the name of " Whigs."

As early as 1776 the leading men had
come to the conclusion that there was no
hope except in separation and indepen-
dence. In May of that year Washington
wrote from the head of the army in New
York : " A reconciliation with Great Brit-
ain is impossible When I took

command of the army, I abhorred the idea

of independence ; but I am now fully satis-
fied that nothing else will save us."

It is not the object of this sketch to trace
the military acts of the patriot hero, to
whose hands the fortunes and liberties of
the United States were confided during the
seven years' bloody struggle that ensued
until the treaty of 1783, in which England
acknowledged the independence of each of
the thirteen States, and negotiated with
them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The
merits of Washington as a military chief-
tain have been considerably discussed, espe-
cially by writers in his own country.. Dur-
ing the war he was most bitterly assailed
for incompetency, and great efforts were
made to displace him ; but he never for a
moment lost the confidence of either the
Congress or the people. December 4, 1783,
the great commander took leave of his offi-
cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms,
and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where
the Congress of the States was in session,
and to that body, when peace and order
prevailed everywhere, resigned his com-
mission and retired to Mount Vernon.

It was in 1788 that Washington was called
to the chief magistracy of the nation. He
received every electoral vote cast in all the
colleges of the States voting for the office
of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was
the time appointed for the Government of
the United States to begin its operations,
but several weeks elapsed before quorums
of both the newly constituted houses of the
Congress were assembled. The city of New
York was the place where the Congress
then met. April 16 Washington left his
home to enter upon the discharge of his
new duties. He set out with a purpose of
traveling privately, and without attracting
any public attention ; but this was impossi-
ble. Everywhere on his way he was met
with thronging crowds, eager to see the
man whom they regarded as the chief de-
fender of their liberties, and everywhere

le was hailed with those public manifesta-
tions of jov. legard and love which spring
spontaneously from the hearts of an affec-
tionate and grateful people. His reception
in New York was marked by a grandeur
and an enthusiasm never before witnessed
in that metropolis. The inauguration took
jilace April 30, in the presence of an immense
multitude which had assembled to witness
the new and imposing ceremony. The oath
of office was administered by Robert R.
Livingston. Chancellor of the State. When
liiis sacred pledge was given, he retired
with the other officials into the Senate
chamber, where he delivered his inaugural
address to both houses of the newly con-
stituted Congress in joint assembly.

In the manifold details o[ his civil ad-
ministration, Washington proved himself
equal to the requirements ot his position.
The greater portion of the first session of
the first Congress was occupied in passing
tlie necessary statutes for putting the new
organization into complete operation. In
the discussions brought up in the course of
this legislation the nature and character of
the new svstem came under general review.
On no one of them did any decided antago-
nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a
limited government, clothed only with spe-
cific powers conferred by delegation from
the States. There was no change in the
name of the legislative department ; it still
remained "the Congress of the United
States of America." There was no change
in the original flag of the country, and none
in the seal, which still remains with the
Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle,
with other emblems, under the great and
expressive motto, " E P/iiribiis Unitiii."

The first division of parties arose upon
the manner of construing the powers dele-
gated, and they were first styled "strict
constructionists" and " latitudinarian con-
structionists." The former were for con-
ing the action of the Government strictly

within its specific and limited sphere, while
the others were for enlarging its powers by
inference and implication. Hamilton and
Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet
were regarded as the chief leaders, respecl
ively, of these rising antagonistic parties
which have existed, under different names,
from that day to this. Washington was re
garded as holding a neutral position between
them, though, by mature deliberation, he
vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790,
passed by the party headed by Hamilton,
which was based upon a principle construct-
ively leading to centralization or consoli-
dation. This was the first exercise of the
veto power under the present Constitution.
It created considerable excitement at the
time. Another bill was soon passed in pur-
suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has
been adhered to in principle in every a])-
portionment act passed since.

At the second session of the new Con-
gress, Washington announced the gratify-
ing fact of " the accession of North Caro-
lina" to the Constitution of 17S7, and June
I of the same year he announced by special
message the like " accession of the State of
Rhode Island," with his congratulations on
the happy event v/hich " united under the
general Governinent" all the States which
were originally confederated.

In 1792, at the second Presidential elec-
tion, Washington was desirous to retire ;
but he vielded to the general wish of the
country, and was again chosen President
by the unaniinous vote of ever)' electoral
college. At the third election, 1796, he was
again most urgently entreated to consent to
remain in the executive chair. This he
positively refused. In September, before
the election, he gave to his countrymen his
memorable Farewell Address, which in lan-
guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit
and crowning glory of his illustrious life.
After March 4, 1797, he again retired to
Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose.

aEORGE WA SHIXG TON.

'"(i\

His administration for the two terms had
been successful be3-ond the expectation and
hopes of even the most sanguine of his
friends. The finances of the country were
no longer in an embarrassed condition, the
I-'ublic credit was fully restored, Hfe was
tjiven to every department of industry, the
workings of the new system in allowing
Congress to raise revenue from duties on
imports proved to be not only harmonious
in its federal action, but astonishing in its
results upon the commerce and trade of all
the States. The exports from the Union
increased from $19,000,000 to over §56,000,-
000 per annum, while the imports increased
in about the same proportion. Three new
members had been added to the Union. The
progress of the States in their new career
under their new organization thus far was
exceedingly encouraging, not only to the
friends of Ijbertv within their own limits,
but to their S3'mpathizing allies in all climes
and countries.

Of the call again made on this illustrious

chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon
and take command of all the United States
forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General,
when war was threatened with France in
1798, nothing need here be stated, except to
note the fact as an unmistakable testimo-
nial of the high regard in which he was still
held by his countrymen, of all shades of po-
litical opinion. He patriotically accepted
this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop
to all action under it. He again retired to
Mount Vernon, where, after a short and
severe illness, he died December 14, 1799,
in the sixt)'-eighth year of his age. The
whole countr)' was filled with gloom by this
sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli-
tics and creeds in religion, in every State
in the Union, united with Congress in " pay-
ing honor to the man, first in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his country-
men."

His remains were deposited in a family
vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount
Vernon, where they still lie entombed.

'^m^

PRESIDENTS OP- TUB VNlTEt) STATES.

OHN ADAMS, the second
President of the United
States, 1797 to 1801, was
born in the present town
of Ouinc}-, then a portion
of Braintree, Massachu-
setts, October 30, 1735. His
father was a farmer of mod-
erate means, a worthy and
industrious man. He was
a deacon in the church, and
was very desirous of giving
his son a collegiate educa-
tion, hoping that he would
become a minister of the
_ 3spel. But, as up to this
time, the age of fourteen, he had been only
a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had
no taste for books, he chose farming. On
being set to work, however, by his father
out in the field, the very first day con-
verted the boy into a lover of books.

Accordingly, at the age of si.xteen he
entered Harvard College, and graduated in
1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed
for integrity, energy and ability. Thus,
having no capital but his education, he
started out into the stormy world at a time
of great political excitement, as France and
England were then engaged in their great
seven-years struggle for the mastery over
the New World. The fire of patriotism

seized young Adams, and for a time he
studied over the question whether he
should take to the law, to politics or ihe
army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a
friend, making prophecies concerning the
future greatness of this country which have
since been more than fulfilled. For two
years he taught school and studied law,
wasting no odd moments, and at the early
age of twenty-two years he opened a law
ofifice in his native town. His inherited
powers of mind and vmtiring devotion to
his profession caused him to rise rapidly
in public esteem.

In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married
Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy-
man at Weymouth and a lad}^ of rare per-
sonal and intellectual endowments, who
afterward contributed much to her hus-
band's celebrity.

Soon the oppression of the British in
America reached its climax. The Boston
merchants employed an attorney by the
name of James Otis to argue the legality of
oppressive tax law before the Superior
Court. Adams heard the argument, and
afterward wrote to a friend concerning the
ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a
flame of fire. With a promptitude of
classical allusion, a depth of research, a
rapid summary of historical events and
dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a

J(r^iJd(i^m

yOHN ADAMS.

prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried
away all before him. American hidepcndcnce
was then and there born. Every man of an
immensely crowded audience appeared to
me to go away, as I did, ready to take up
arms."

Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be
read before the literary club of his town,
upon the state of affairs, which was so able
as to attract public attention. It was pub-
lished in American journals, republished
in England, and was pronounced by the
friends of the colonists there as " one of the
very best productions ever seen from North
America."

The memiorable Stamp Act was now
issued, and Adams entered with all the
ardor of his soul into political life in order
to resist it. He drew up a series of reso-
lutions remonstrating against the act, which
were adopted at a public meeting of the
citizens of Braintrec, and which were sub-
sequently adopted, word for word, by more
than forty towns in the State. Popular
commotion prevented the landing of the
Stamp Act papers, and the English author-
ities then closed the courts. The town of
Boston therefore appointed Jeremy Grid-
ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a
petition before the Governor and council
for the re-opening of the courts; and while
the two first mentioned attorneys based
their argument upon the distress caused to
the people by the measure, Adams boldly
claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation
both of the English Constitution and the
charter of the Provinces. It is said that
this was the first direct denial of the un-
limited right of Parliament over the colo-
nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was
repealed.

Directly Mr. Adams was employed to
defend Ansell Nickerson, who had killed an
Englishman in the act of impressing him
(Nickerson) into the King's service, and his
client was acquitted, the court thus estab-

lishing the principle that the infamous
royal prerogative of impressment could
have no existence in the colonial code.
But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah
Quincy defended a party of British soldiers
who had been arrested for murder when
they had been only obeying Governmental
orders ; and when reproached for thus ap-
parently deserting the cause of popular
libert\% Mr. Adams replied that he would a
thousandfold rather live under the domina-
tion of the worst of England's kings than
under that of a lawless mob. Next, after
serving a term as a member of the Colonial
Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find-
ing his health affected by too gixat labor,
letired to his native home at Braintree.

The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa-
mous Boston " Tea Party," the first open
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the
Congress at Philadelphia ; and when the
Attorney-General announced that Great
Britain had " determined on her system,
and that her power to execute it was irre-
sistible," Adams replied : " I know that
Great Britain has determined on her sys-
tem, and that very determination deter-
mines me on mine. You know that I have
been constant in my opposition to her
measures. The die is now cast. I have
passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or
die, with my country, is my unalterable
determination." The rumor beginning to
prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress
had independence in view, Adams foresaw
that it was too soon to declare it openl}'.
He advised every one to remain quiet in
that respect; and as soon as it became ap-
parent that he himself was for independ-
ence, he was advised to hide himself, which
he did.

The next year the great Revolutionary
war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams,
residing near Boston, kept her husband ad-
vised by letter of all the events transpiring
in her vicinity. The battle of Bunker Hill

I L^^^

came on. Congress had to do something
immediately. The first thing was to
choose a commander-in-chief for the — we
can't say " army " — the fighting men of the
colonies. The New England delegation
was almost unanimous in favor of appoint-
ing General Ward, then at the head of the
Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged
the appointment of George Washington,
then almost unknown outside of his own
State. He was appointed without oppo-
sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution,
which was adopted, annulling all the ro)'al
authority in the colonies. Having thus
prepared the way, a few weeks later, viz.,
June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Vir-
ginia, who a few months before had declared
that the British Government would aban-
don its oppressive measures, now offered
the memorable resolution, seconded by
Adams, "tliat these United States are, and
of right ought to be, free and independent."
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and
Livingston were then appointed a commit-
tee to draught a declaration of independ-
ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams
to draw up Ihe bold document, but the
latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform
that responsible task. The Declaration
drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost
defender on the floor of Congress. It was
signed by all the fifty-five members present,
and the next day ^Ir. Adams wrote to his
wife how great a deed was done, and how
proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued
to be the leading man of Congress, and
the leading advocate of American inde-
pendence. Above all other Americans,
he was considered by every one the prin-
cipal shining mark for British vengeance.
Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to
the most dangerous task of crossing the
ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the
British, who knew of his mission, which
was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera-
tion of the French. Besides, to take him-

self away from the country of which he
was the most prominent defender, at that
critical time, was an act of the greatest self-
sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing th •
sea, he had two very narrow escapes from
capture ; and the transit was otherwise :■
stormy and eventful one. During th
summer of 1779 he returned home, but u;.^
immediately dispatched back to France, ti.
be in readiness there to negotiate terms ol
peace and commerce with Great Britain as
soon as the latter power was ready for sucb.
business. But as Dr. Franklin was more
popular than heat the court of France, Mr.
Adams repaired to Holland, where he was
far more successful as a diplomatist.

The treaty of peace between the United
States and England was finally signed at
Paris, January 21, 1783; and the re-action
from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had
so long been experiencing threw him into
a dangerous fever. Before he fully re-
covered he was in London, whence he was
dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti-
ate another loan. Compliance with this
order undermined his physical constitution
for life.

In 17S5 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy
to the court of St. James, to meet face to
face the very king who had regarded him
as an arch traitor! Accordingly he re-
paired thither, where he did actually meet
and converse with George III.! After a
residence there for about three years, he
obtained permission to return to America.
While in London he wrote and published
an able work, in three volumes, entitled :
" A Defense of the American Constitution."

The Articles of Confederation proving
inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a
carefully draughted Constitution was
adopted in 1789, when George Washington
was elected President of the new nation,
and Adams Vice-President. Congress met
for a time in New York, but was removed
to Philadelphia for ten years, until suitable

JOHN ADAMS.

buildings should be erected at the new
capital in the District of Columbia. Mr.
Adams then moved his family to Phila-
delphia. Toward the close of his term of
office the French Revolution culminated,
when Adams and Washington rather
sympathized with England, and Jefferson
with France. The Presidential election of
1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first
place by a small majority, and !Mr. Jeffer-
son the second place.

Mr. Adams's administration was consci-
entious, patriotic and able. The period
was a turbulent one, and even an archangel
could not have reconciled the hostile par-
ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng-
land and France was bitter, and for four
years Mr. Adams struggled through almost
a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he
was not truly a popular man, and his cha-
grin at not receiving a re-election was so
great that he xiid not even remain at Phila-
delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr.
Jefferson, his successor. The friendly
intimacy between these two men was
interrupted for about thirteen years of their
life. Adams finally made the first advances
toward a restoration of their mutual friend-
ship, which were gratefully accepted by
Jefferson.

Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity
to retire to private lite, where he could rest
his mind and enjo)' the comforts of home.
By a thousand bitter experiences he found
the path of public duty a thorny one. For
twenty-six years his service of the public
was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted
as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im-
portant sense he was as much the " Father
of his Country " as was Washington in
another sense. During these long years of
anxiety and toil, in which he was laying,
broad and deep, the foundations of the

greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he
received from his impoverished country a
meager support. The only privilege he
carried with him into his retirement was
that of franking his letters.

Although taking no active part in public
affairs, both himself and his son, John
Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr.
Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of
England, who persisted in searching
American ships on the high seas and
dragging from them any sailors that might
be designated by any pert lieutenant as
Bi-itish subjects. Even for this noble sup-
port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou-
sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion,
for the first time since his retirement, he
broke silence and drew up a ver}^ able
paper, exposing the atrocity of the British
pretensions.

Mr. Adams outlived nearly all hisfamil3^
Though his physical frame began to give
way many years before his death, his mental
powers retained their strength and vigor to
the last. In his ninetieth year he was
gladdened by the popular elevation of his
son to the Presidential office, the highest in
the gift of the people. A few months more
passed away and the 4th of July, 1826,
arrived. The people, unaware of the near
approach of the end of two great lives —
that of Adams and Jefferson — were making
unusual preparations for a national holiday.
Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to
the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial
music and the roar of cannon, with silent
emotion. Only four days before, he had
given for a public toast, " Independence
forever." About two o'clock in the after-
noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives."
But he was mistaken by an hour or so ;
and in a few minutes he had breathed his
last.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

}m^

fHOMAS JEFFER-
son, the third Presi-
dent of the United
States, i8oi-'9, was
born April 2, 1743,
the eldest child of
his parents, Peter
and Jane (Randolph) Jef-
ferson, near Charlottes-
ville, Albemarle County,
Virginia, upon the slopes
ofthe Blue Ridge. When
he -was fourteen years of
age, his father died, leav-
ing a widow and eight
children. She was a beau-
tiful and accomplished
lady, a good letter-writer, with a fund of
humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His
parents belonged to the Church of England,
and are said to be of Welch origin. But
little is known of them, however.

Thomas was naturally of a serious turn
of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at
school, his choice studies being mathemat-
ics and the classics. At the age of seven-
teen he entered William and Mary College,
in an advanced class, and lived in rather an
expensive style, consequently being much
caressed by gay society. That he was not
ruined, is proof of his stamina of character.
But during his second year he discarded

society, his horses and even his favorite
violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen
hours a day to hard study, becoming ex-
traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek
authors.

On leaving college, before he was twenty-
one, he commenced the study of law, and
pursued it diHgently until he was well
qualified for practice, upon which he
entered in 1767. By this time he was also
versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An-
glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine
arts. Being very polite and polished in his
manners, he won the friendship of all whom
he met. Though able with his pen, he was
not fluent in public speech.

In 1769 he was chosen a member of the
Virginia Legislature, and was the largest
slave-holding member of that bod3^ He
introduced a bill empowering slave-holders
to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected
by an overwhelming vote.

In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great
loss ; his house at Shadwell was burned,
and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes
was consumed. But he was wealthy
enough to replace the most of it, as from
his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his
practice at the bar his income amounted to
about $5,000 a year.

In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton,
a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished

Vyt^l^

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of
land and 130 slaves; yet he labored assidu-
ously for the abolition of slavery. For his
new home he selected a majestic rise of
land upon his large estate at Shadwell,
called Monticello, whereon he erected a
mansion of modest yet elegant architecture.
Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste
in magnificent, high-blooded liorses.

At this period the British Government
gradually became more insolent and op-
pressive toward the American colonies,
and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most
foremost to resist its encroachments. From
time to time he drew up resolutions of re-
monsti-ance, which were finally adopted,
thus proving his ability as a statesman and
as a leader. By the year 1774 he became
quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de-
fending the right of the colonies to defend
themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A
Summary Vifew of the Rights of British
America," attracted much attention in Eng-
land. The following year he, in company
with George Washington, served as an ex-
ecutive committee in measures to defend
by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem-
ber of the Congress, he was not a speech-
maker, yet in conversation and upon
committees he was so frank and decisive
that he always made a favorable impression.
But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re-
mained in hopes of reconciliation with the
parent country.

At length, however, the hour arrived for
draughting the " Declaration of Indepen-
dence," and this responsible task was de-
volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and
Adams suggested a few verbal corrections
before it was submitted to Congress, which
was June 28, 1776, only six days before it
was adopted. During the three days of
the fiery ordeal of criticism through which
it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened
not his lips. John Adams was the main
champion of the Declaration on the floor

of Congress. The signing of this document
was one of the most solemn and momentous
occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer
and silence reigned throughout the hall,
and each signer realized that if American
independence was not finally sustained by-
arms he was doomed to the scaffold.

After the colonies became independent
States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat
in Congress in order to aid in organizing
the government of Virginia, of which State
he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he
was thirty-six years of age. At this time
the British had possession of Georgia and
were invading South Carolina, and at one
time a British officer, Tarleton, sent a
secret expedition to Monticello to capture
the Governor. Five minutes after Mr.
Jefferson escaped with his family, his man-
sion was in possession of the enemy ! The
British troops also destroyed his valuable
plantation on the James River. " Had they
carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with
characteristic magnanimity, " to give them
freedom, they would have done right."

The 3-ear 1781 was a gloomy one for the
Virginia Governor. While confined to his
secluded home in the forest by a sick and
dying wife, a party arose against him
throughout the State, severely criticising
his course as Governor. Being very sensi-
tive to reproach, this touched him to the
quick, and the heap of troubles then sur-
rounding him nearly crushed him. He re-
solved, in despair, to retire from public life
for the rest of his days. For weeks Mr.
Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed
heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during
which time unfeeling letters were sent to
him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith-
fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost
so much property and at the same time
done so much for his country ! After her
death he actually fainted away, and re-
mained so long insensible that it was feared
he never would recover! Several weeks

PRESTDEyrS OF THE U.VITED STATES.

passed before he could fully recover his
equilibrium. He was never married a
second time.

In the spring of 17S2 the people of Eng-
land compelled their king to make to the
Americans overtures of peace, and in No-
vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap-
pointed by Congress, unanimously and
without a single adverse remark, minister
plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty.

In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap-
pointed on a committee to draught a plan
for the government of the Northwestern
Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause
in that plan was stricken out by the pro-
slavery majority of the committee; but amid
all the controversies and wrangles of poli-
ticians, he made it a rule never to contra-
dict anybody or engage in any discussion
as a debater.

In company with Mr. Adams and Dr.
Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in
May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary
in the negotiation of treaties of commerce
with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went
to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his
mission. The suavity and high bearing of
his manner made all the French his friends;
and even Mrs. Adams at one time u^rote
to her sister that he was " the chosen
of the earth." But all the honors that
he received, both at home and abroad,
seemed to make no change in the simplicit}'
of his republican tastes. On his return to
America, he found two parties respecting
the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams
sympathizing with that in favor of England
and himself favoring France.

On the inauguration of General Wash-
ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was
chosen by him for the office of Secretary of
State. At this time the rising storm of the
French Revolution became visible, and
Washington watched it with great anxiety.
His cabinet was divided in their views of
constitutional government as well as re-

garding the issues in France. General
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was
the leader of the so-called Federal partv,
while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the
Republican party. At the same time there
was a strong monarchical party in this
country, with which Mr. Adams sympa-
thized. Some important financial measures,
which were proposed by Hamilton and
finally adopted by the cabinet and approved
by Washington, were opposed by Mr.
Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to
reproach him with holding office under an
administration whose views he opposed.
The President poured oil on the troubled
waters. On his re-election to the Presi-
dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain
in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his
resignation at two different times, probably
because he was dissatisfied with some of
the measures of the Government. His
final one was not received until January i,
1794, when General Washington parted
from him with great regret.

Jefferson then retired to his quiet home
at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even
reading the newspapers lest the political
gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi-
dent's again calling him back to the office
of Secretary of State, he replied that no
circumstances would ever again tempt him
to engage in any-thing public ! But, while
all Europe was ablaze with war, and France
in the throes of a bloody revolution and the
principal theater of the conflict, a new
Presidential election in this country came
on. John Adams was the Federal candi-
date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi-
can candidate. The result of the election
was the promotion of the latter to the Vice-
Presidency, while the former was chosen
President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson
really did not desire to have either office,
he was "so weary ** of party strife. He
loved the retirement of home more than
any other place on the earth.

THOMAS ^EFFEliSON.

But for four long years his Vice-Presi-
dency passed joylessl}- away, while the
partisan strife between Federalist and Re-
publican was ever growing hotter. The
former party split and the result of the
fourth general election was the elevation of
Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with
Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men
being at the head of a growing party, their
election was hailed everywhere with joy.
On the other hand, man}' of the Federalists
turned pale, as they believed what a portion
of the pulpit and the press had been preach-
ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist,"
a "Jacobin," the "incarnation of all evil,"
" breathing threatening and slaughter ! "

Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con-
tained nothing but the noblest sentiments,
expressed in fine language, and his personal
behavior afterward exhibited the extreme
of American, democratic simplicit\'. His
disgust of European court etiquette grew
upon him with age. He believed that
General Washington was somewhat dis-
trustful of the ultimate success of a popular
Government, and that, imbued with a little
admiration of the forms of a monarchical
Government, he had instituted levees, birth-
daj's, pompous meetings with Congress,
etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to
slaves everywhere he met them, and carried
in his countenance the indications of an ac-
commodating disposition.

The political principles of the Jeffersoni-
an party now swept the country, and Mr.
Jefferson himself swayed an influence which
was never exceeded even by Washington.
Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou-
isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000,
the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com-
prising all the land west of the Mississippi
to the Pacific Ocean.

The year 1804 witnessed another severe
loss in his family. His highl}' accomplished
and most beloved daughter Maria sickened
and died, causing as great grief in the

stricken parent as it was possible for him to
survive with any degree of sanity.

The same year he was re-elected to the
Presidency, with George Clinton as Vice-
President. During his second term our
relations with England became more com-
plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp-
ton Roads, the United States frigate
Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit-
ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made
to surrender. Three men were killed and
ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara-
tion. England grew insolent. It became
evident that war was determined upon by
the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri-
cans were forced into the British service
upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory
solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's
Presidential terra closed. Amid all these
public excitements he thought constantly
of the welfare of his family, and longed
for the time when he could return home
to remain. There, at Monticello, his sub-
sequent life was very similar to that of
Washington at Mt. Vernon. His hospi-
talit}' toward his numerous friends, indul-
gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his
property, etc., finally involved him in debt.
For years his home resembled a fashion-
able watering-place. During the summer,
thirty-seven house servants were required !
It was presided over by his daughter, Mrs.
Randolph.

Mr. Jefferson did much for the establish-
ment of the University at Charlottesville,
making it unsectarian, in keeping with the
spirit of American institutions, but poverty
and the feebleness of old age prevented
him from doing what he would. He even
went so far as to petition tiie Legislature
for permission to dispose of some of his
possessions by lottery, in order to raise the
necessary funds for home expenses. It was
granted ; but before the plan was carried
out, Mr. Jefferson died, July 4. 1826, at
2:50 P. M.

PRESIDEXrS OF THE UNITED STATES.

AMES MADISON, the
fourth President of the
United States, iSog-'iy,
was born at Port Con-
\\a.y, Prince George
County, Virginia, March
175 1. His father,

Colonel James Madison, was
a wealthy planter, residing
upon a very fine estate
called " Montpelier," only
twenty-five miles from the
home of Thomas Jefferson
at Monticello. The closest
personal and political at-
tachment existed between
these illustrious men from their early youth
until death.

James was the eldest of a family of seven
children, four sons and three daughters, all
of whom attained maturity. His early edu-
cation was conducted mostly at home,
under a private tutor. Being naturally in-
tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him-
self with unusual vigor to study. At a very
early age he made considerable proficiency
in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish
languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton
College, New Jersey, of which the illus-
trious Dr. Weatherspoon was then Presi-
dent. He graduated in 1771, with a chai'-

acter of the utmost purit}-, and a mind
highly disciplined and stored with all the
learning which embellished and gave effi-
ciency to his subsequent career. After
graduating he pursued a course of reading
for several months, under the guidance of
President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re-
turned to Virginia^ where he continued in
incessant study for two years, nominally
directed to the law, but reall}' including
extended researches in theology, philoso-
phy and general literature.

The Church of England was the estab-
lished church in Virginia, invested with all
the prerogatives and immunities which it
enjoyed in the fatherland, and other de-
nomi nations labored under serious disabili-
ties, the enforcement of which was rightly
or wrongly characterized by them as per-
secution. Madison, took a prominent stand
in behalf of the removal of all disabilities,
repeatedly appeared in the court of liis own
county to defend the Baptist nonconform-
ists, and was elected from Orange County to
the Virginia Convention in the sj^ring of
1766, when he signalized the beginning of
his public career by procuring the passage
of an amendment to the Declaration of
Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub-
stituting for "toleration" a more emphatic
assertion of religious liberlv.

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yAMES AlADlSOi^.

In 1776 he was elected a member of the
Virginia Convention to frame the Constitu-
tion of the State. Like Jefferson, he took
but little part in the public debates. His
main strength lay in his conversational in-
fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777,
he was chosen a member of the Council of
State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in
the Continental Congress, where he first
gained prominence through his energetic
opposition to the issue of paper money by
the States. He continued in Congress three
years, one of its most active and influential
members.

In 1784 Mr. Madison v.'as elected a mem-
ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren-
dered important service by promoting and
participating in that revision of the statutes
which effectually abolished the remnants of
the feudal system subsistent up to that
time in the form of entails, primogeniture,
and State support given the Anglican
Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon-
strance" against a general assessment for
the support of religion is one of the ablest
papers which emanated from his pen. It
settled the question of the entire separation
of church and State in Virginia.

Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to
the study and experience through which he
had already passed :

" Trained in these successive schools, he
acquired a habit of self-possession which
placed at ready command the rich resources
of his luminous and discriminating mind and
of his extensive information, and rendered
him the first of every assembly of which he
afterward became a member. Never wan-
dering from his subject into vain declama-
tion, but pursuing it closely in language
pure, classical and copious, soothing al-
wa3's the feelings of his adversaries by civili-
ties and softness of expression, he rose to tlie
eminent stati(in which he held in the great
National Convention of 1787; and in that of
Virginia, which followed, he sustained the

new Constitution in all its parts, bearing ofi
the palm against the logic of George Mason
and the fervid declamation of Patrick
Henry. With these consummate powers
were united a pure and spotless virtue
which no calumny has ever attempted to
sully. Of the power and polish of his pen,
and of the wisdom of his administration in
the highest office of the nation, I need say
nothing. They have spoken, and will for-
ever speak, for themselves."

In January, 1786, Mr. Madison took the
initiative in proposing a meeting of State
Commissioners to devise measures for more
satisfactory commercial relations between
the States. A meeting was held at An-
napolis to discuss this subject, and but five
States were represented. The convention
issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madi-
son, urging all the States to send their dele-
gates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to
draught a Constitution for the United
States. The delegates met at the time ap-
pointed, every State except Rhode Island
being represented. George Washington
was chosen president of the convention,
and the present Constitution of the United
States was then and there formed. There
was no mind and no pen more active in
framing this immortal document than the
mind and pen of James Madison. He was,
perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of
the Federalist.

Mr. Madison was a member of the first
four Congresses, 1789-97, in which he main-
tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's
financial policy. He declined the mission
to France and the Secretaryship of State,
and, gradually identifying himself with the
Republican party, became from 1792 its
avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice
{ox the Presidency as successor to Wash-
ington. Mr. Jeffei'son wrote: "There is
not another person in the United States
with whom, being placed at the helm of our
affairs, my mind would be so completely at

PJ^ESIDEXTS OF THE UN /TED STATES.

rest for the fortune of our political bark."
But Mr. Madison declined to be a candi-
date. His term in Congress had expired,
and he returned from New York to his
beautiful retreat at Montpelier.

In 1794 Mr. Madison married a young
widow of remarkable powers of fascination
— Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro-
thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir-
ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been
educated in the strictest rules of that sect.
When but eighteen years of age she married
a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia,
where she was introduced to brilliant scenes
of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside
the dress and address of the Quakeress, and
became one of the most fascinating ladies
of the republican court. In New York,
after the death of her husband, she was the
belle of the season and was surrounded with
admirers. Air. Madisnn won the prize.
She proved an invaluable helpmate. In
Washington she was the life of society.
If there was an}' diffident, timid young
girl just making her appearance, she
found in Mrs. Madison an encouraging
friend.

During the stormy administration of John
Adams Madison remained in private life,
but was the author of the celebrated " Reso-
lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia
Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien
and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report"
in which he defended those resolutions,
which is, by many, considered his ablest
State paper.

The storm passed away ; the Alien and
Sedition laws were repealed, John Adams
lost his re-election, and in 1801 Thomas Jef-
ferson was chosen President. The great re-
action in public sentiment which seated
Jefferson in the presidential chair was large-
ly owing to the writings of Madison, who
was consequently well entitled to the post
of Secretary' of State. With great ability
he discharged the duties of this responsible

office during the eight years of Mr. JeiTt i
son's administration.

As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and
neither of his daughters could be often with
him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over
theJestivities of the White House; and as
her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold-
ing his office for two terms, this remarkable
woman was the mistress of the presidential
mansion for sixteen years.

Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by
the cares of his office, all the duties of so-
cial life devolved upon his accomplished
wife. Never were such responsibilities
more ably discharged. The most bitter
foes of her husband and of the administra-
tion were received with the frankly prof-
fered hand and the cordial smile of wel-
come; and the influence of this gentle
woman in allaying the bitterness of party
rancor became a great and salutary power
in the nation.

As tlie term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency
drew near its close, party strife was roused
to the utmost to elect his successor. It was
a death-grapple between the two great
parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr.
Madison was chosen President by an elec-
toral vote of 122 to 53, and was inaugurated
March 4, 1809, at a critical period, when
the relations of the United States with Great
Britain were becoming embittered, and his
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels,
aggravated by the act of non-intercourse of
May, 1810, and finally resulting in a decla-
ration of war. .

On the 1 8th of June, 181 2, President
Madison gave his approval to an act of
Congress declaring war against Great Brit-
ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility
of the Federal party to the war, the countrv
in general approved ; and in the autumn
Madison was re-elected to the Presidency
by 12S electoral votes to 89 in favor of
George Clinton.

March 4, 1817, Madison vielded the Pre;.!

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yAMES MADISON.

deiicy to his Secretary of State and inti-
mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to
his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he
passed the evening of iiis days surrounded
by attaciied friends and enjoying the
merited respect of the whole nation. He
took pleasure in promoting agriculture, as
president of the county society, and in
watching the development of the University
of Virginia, of which he was loug rector and
visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829
as a member of the convention called to re-
form the Virginia Constitution, where his
appearance was hailed with the most gen-
uine interest and satisfaction, though he
was too infirm ^o participate in the active
work of revision. Small in stature, slender
and delicate in form, with a countenance
full of intelligence, and expressive alike of
mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten-
tion of all who attended the convention,
and was treated v/ith the utmost deference.
He seldom addressed the assembly, though
he always appeared self-possessed, and
watched with unflagging interest the prog-
ress of every msasure. Though the con-
vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only
twice ; but when he did speak, the whole
house paused to listen. His voice was
feeble though his enunciation was very dis-
tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansbury,
relates the following anecdote of Mr. Madi-
son's last speech:

" The next day, as there was a great call
for it, and the report had not been returned
for publication, I sent my son with a re-
spectful note, requesting the manuscript.
My son was a lad of sixteen, whom I had
taken with me to act as amanuensis. On
delivering my note, he was received with
the utmost politeness, and requested to
come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait
while his eye ran over the paper, as com-
pany had prevented his attending to it. He
did so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct
the report. The lad stood near him so that

his eye fell on the paper. Coming to a
certain sentence in the speech, Mr. Madison
erased a word and substituted another ; but
hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the
second word, drew his pen through it also.
My son was young, ignorant of the world,
and unconscious of the solecism of which he
was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic-
ity, he suggested a word. Probably no
other person then living would have taken
such a liberty. But the sage, instead of
regarding such an intrusion with a frown,
raised his eyes to the boy's face with a
pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ;
it is the very word,' and immediately in-
serted it. I saw him the next day, and he
mentioned the circumstance, with a compli-
ment on the young critic."

Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 28,
1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five.
While not possessing the highest order of
talent, and deficient in oratorical powers,
he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well-
balanced mind. His attainments were solid,
his knowledge copious, his judgment gener-
ally sound, his powers of analysis and logi-
cal statement rarely surpassed, his language
and literary style correct and polished, his
conversation witty, his temperament san-
guine and trustful, his integrity unques-
tioned, his manners simple, courteous and
winning. By these rare qualities he con-
ciliated the esteem not only of friends, but
of political opponents, in a greater degree
than any American statesman in the present
century.

Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir-
teen years, and died July 12, 1849, ''i the
eighty-second year of her age. She was one
of the most remarkable women our coun-
try has produced. Even now she is ad-
miringly remembered in Washington as
" Dolly Madison," and it is fitting that her
memory should descend to posterity in
1 company with thatof the companion of
her life.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

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AMES MONROE, the fifth
President of the United
States, i8i7-'25, was born
in Westmoreland County
Virginia, April 28, 1758]
He was a son of Spence
Monroe, and a descendant
of a Scottish cavalier fam-
ily. Like all his predeces-
sors thus far in the Presi-
dential chair, he enjoyed all
the advantages of educa-
tion which the country
could then afford. He was
early sent to a fine classical
school, and at the age of six-
teen entered William and Mary College..
In 1776, when he had been in college but
two years, the Declaration of Independence
was adopted, and our feeble militia, with-
out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug-
gling against the trained armies of England.
James Monroe left college, hastened to
General Washington's headquarters at New
York and enrolled himself as a cadet in the
army.

At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis-
tinguished himself, receiving a wound in his
shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap-
taincy. Upon recovering from his wound,
he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster-
ling, and in that capacity he took an active
part in the battles of Brandywine, Ger-
mantown and Monmouth. At Germantown

he stood by the side of Lafayette when the
French Marquis received his wound. Gen-
eral Washington, who had formed a high
idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to
Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which
he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was
Virginia at that time that the effort proved
unsuccessful. He, however, received his
commission.

Finding no opportunity to enter the army
as a commissioned officer, he returned to his
original plan of studying law, and entered
the ofifice of Thomas Jefferson, who was
then Governor of Virginia. He developed
a very noble character, frank, manly and
sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him:

"James Monroe is so perfectly honest
that if his soul were turned inside out there
would not be found a spot on it."

In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly
of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem-
ber of the Executive Coimcil. The next
3-ear he was chosen delegate to the Conti-
nental Congress for a term of three years.
He was present at Annapolis when Wash-
ington surrendered his commission of Com-
mander-in-chief.

With Washington, Jefferson and Madison
he felt deeply the inefBciency of the old
Articles of Confederation, and urged the
formation of a new Constitution, which
should invest the Central Government with
something like national power. Influenced
bv these views, he introduced a resolution

^.^-^-^^/^ X /^^-^^^^^^^^^

yAMES MONROE.

121 8 J 82

that Congress should be empowered to
regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty
of five per cent. The resolution was refer-
red to a committee of which he was chair-
man. Tiie report and the discussion which
rose upon it led to the convention of five
States at Annapolis, and the consequent
general convention at Philadelphia, which,
in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the
United States.

At this time there was a controversy be-
tween New York and Massachusetts in
reference to their boundaries. The high
esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held
is indicated by the fact that he was ap-
pointed one of the judges to decide the
controvers}-. While in New York attend-
ing Congress, he married Miss Kortright,
a young lady distinguished alike for her
beauty and accomplishments. For nearly
fifty years this happy union remained un-
broken. In London and in Paris, as in her
own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration
and affection by the loveliness of her per-
son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the
amiabilit)' of her character.

Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe
commenced the practice of law at Freder-
icksburg. He was very soon elected to a
seat in the State Legislature, and the next
year he was chosen a member of the Vir-
ginia convention which was assembled to
decide upon the acceptance or rejection of
the Constitution which had been drawn up
at Philadelphia, and was now submitted
to the several States. Deeply as he felt
the imperfections of the old Confederacy,
he was opposed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with many others of the Republi-
can party, that it gave too much power to
the Central Government, and not enough
to the individual States.

In 1789 he became a member of the
United States Senate, which office he held
acceptably to his constituents, and with
honor to himself for four years.

Having opposed the Constitution as not
leaving enough power with the States, he,
of course, became more and more identi-
fied with the Republican party. Thus he
found himself in cordial co-operation with
Jefferson and Madison. The great Repub-
lican party became the dominant power
which ruled the land.

George Washington was then President.
England had espoused the cause of the
Bourbons against the principles of the
French Revolution. President Washing-
ton issued a proclamation of neutralit}' be-
tween these contending powers. France
had helped us in the struggle for our lib-
erties. All the despotisms of Europe were
now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from tyranny a thousandfold
worse than that which we had endured.
Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than
prudent, was anxious that wc should help
our old allies in their extremity. He vio-
lently opposed the President's procla-
mation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such
a character, developed his calm, serene,
almost divine greatness by appointing that
very James Monroe, who was denouncing
the policy of the Government, as the Minis-
ter of that Government to the republic of
France. He was directed by Washington
to express to the French people our warm-
est sympathy, communicating to them cor-
responding resolves approved by the Pres-
ident, and adopted by both houses of
Congress.

Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na-
tional Convention in France with the most
enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and
affection. He was publicly introduced to
that body, and received the embrace of the
President, Merlin de Douay, after having
been addressed in a speech glowing with
congratulations, and with expressions of
desire that harmony might ever exist be-

Presidents of the UNiTEt) states.

tween the two nations. The flags of the
two republics were intertwined in the hall
of the convention. Mr. Monroe presented
the American colors, and received those of
France in return. The course which he
pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng-
land and to the friends of England in
this country that, near the close of Wash-
ii.gton's administration, Mr. Monroe, was
recalled.

After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a
book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the
Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af-
fairs." In this work he ver}' ably advo-
cated his side of the question; but, with
the magnanimity of the man, he recorded a
warm tribute to the patriotism, ability and
spotless integrity of John Jay, between
whom and himself there was intense antag-
onism ; and in subsequent years he ex-
pressed in warmest terms his perfect
\ eneration for the character of George
Washington.

Shortly after his return to this countrv
Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of
Virginia, and held that office for three
years, the period limited by the Constitu-
tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France,
and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to
England in 1803. In 1806 he returned to
his quiet home in Virginia, and with his
wife and childrenandan ample competence
from his paternal estate, enjoyed a few years
of domestic repose.

In 1809 Mr. Jefferson's second term of
office expired, and many of the Republican
party were anxious to nominate James
Monroe as his successor. The majority
were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon-
roe withdrew his name and was soon after
chosen a second time Governor of Virginia.
He soon resigned that office to accept the
position of Secretary of State, offered him
by President Madison. The correspond-
ence which he then carried on with the
British Government demonstrated that

there was no hope of any peaceful adjusi
ment of our difficulties with the cabinet oi
St. James. War was consequently declared
in June, 1812. Immediately after the sack
of, Washington the Secretary of War re-
signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest
request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad-
ditional duties of the War Department,
without resigning his position as Secretary
of State. It has been confidently stated,
that, had Mr. Monroe's energies been in the
War Department a few months earlier, the
disaster at Washington would not have
occurred.

The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon-
roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou-
sand men, picked from the veteran armies
of England, v.-ere sent with a powerful fleet
to New Orleans to acquire possession of
the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan-
ces were in the most deplorable condition.
The treasur}' was exhausted and our credit
gone. And yet it was necessary to make
the most rigorous preparations to meet the
foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec-
retai-y of War, with virtue unsurpassed in
Greek or Roman story, stepped forward
and pledged his own individual credit as
subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus
succeeded in placing the city of New Or-
leans in such a posture of defense, that it
was enabled successfully to repel the in-
vader.

INIr. Monroe was truly the armor-bearer
of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. His energy
in the double capacity of Secretary, both
of State and War, pervaded all the depart-
ments of the country. He proposed to
increase the arm}^ to 100,000 men, a meas-
ure which he deemed absolutely necessary
to save us from ignominious defeat, but
which, at the same time, he knew would
render his name so unpopular as to preclude
the possibility of his being a successful can-
didate for the Presidency.

The happy result of the conference at
Ghent in securing peace rendered the in-
crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not
too much to say that James Monroe placed
in the hands of Andrew Jackson the
weapon with which to beat off the foe at
New Orleans. Upon the return of peace
Mr. Monroe resigned the department of
war, devoting himself entirely to the duties
of Secretary of State. These he continued
to discharge until the close of President
Madison's administration, with zeal which
was never abated, and with an ardor of
self-devotion which made him almost for-
getful of the claim.s of fortune, health or
life.

Mr. Madison's second term expired in
March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded
to the Presidency. He was a candidate of
the Republican party, now taking the name
of the Democratic Republican. In 1821 he
was re-elected, with scarcely any opposition.
Out of 232 electoral votes, he received 231.
The slavery question, which subsequently
assumed such formidable dimensions, now
began to make its appearance. The State
of Missouri, which had been carved out of
that immense territory which we had pur-
chased of France, applied for admission to
the Union, with a slavery Constitution.
There were not a few who foresaw the
evils impending. After the debate of a
week it was decided that Missouri could
not be admitted into the Union with slav-
ery. This important question was at length
settled by a compromise proposed by
Henry Clay.

The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which
so much has been said, originated in this
way: In 1823 it was rumored that the
Holy Alliance was about to interfere to
prevent the establishment of Republican
liberty in the European colonies of South
America. President Monroe wrote to his
old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in
the emergency. In his reply under date of

October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the
supposition that our attempt to resist this
European movement might lead to war:

" Its object is to introduce and establish
the American system of keeping out of our
land all foreign powers; of never permitting
those of Europe to intermeddle with the
affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our
own principle, not to depart from it."

December 2, 1823, President Monroe
sent a message to Congress, declaring it to
be the policy of this Government not to
entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu-
rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere
with the affairs of nations on the American
continent; and the doctrine was announced,
that any attempt on the part of the Euro-
pean powers " to extend their system to
any portion of this hemisphere would be
regarded by the United States as danger-
ous to our peace and safety."

March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered
the presidential chair to his Secretary of
State, John Quincy Adams, and retired,
with the universal respect of the nation,
to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou-
doun Count}', Virginia. His time had been
so entirely consecrated to his country, that
he had neglected his pecuniary interests,
and was deeply involved in debt. The
welfare of his country had ever been up-
permost in his mind.

For many years Mrs. Monroe was in such
feeble health that she rarely appeared in
public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his
residence with his son-in-law in New York,
where he died on the 4th of July, 1831.
The citizens of New York conducted his
obsequies with pageants more imposing
than had ever been witnessed there before.
Our country will ever cherish his mem-
ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his
name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc-
ing him the worthy successor of the illus-
trious men who had preceded him in the
presidential chair.

nin^j

Br.

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p^'OHN QUINCY ADAMS,

,f 3- the sixth President of the
Iji,'^ United States, 1825-9,
J "J was born in the rural

\.^ home of his honored
J.° father, John Adams, in
Q u i n c y , Massachusetts,
July II, 1767. Hismother,
a woman of exalted worth,
watched over his childhood
during the almost constant
absence of his father. He
commenced his education
at the village school, giving
at an early period indica-
ions of superior mental en-
dowments.

When eleven years of age he sailed with
his father for Europe, where the latter was
associated with Franklin and Lee as Minister
Plenipotentiary. The intelligence of John
Quincy attracted the attention of these men
and received from them flattering marks of
attention. Mr. Adams had scarcely returned
to this country in 1779 ^f^ he was again
sent abroad, and John Quinc}^ again accom-
panied him. On this vo3'age he commenced
a diary, which practice he continued, with
but few interruptions, until his death. He
journeyed with his father from Ferrol, in
Spain, to Paris. Here he applied himself
for six months to study; then accompanied

his father to Holland, where he entered,
first a school in Amsterdam, and then the
University of Leyden. In 1781, when only
fourteen years of age, he was selected by
Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Russian
court, as his private secretary. In this
school of incessant labor he spent fourteen
months, and then returned alone to Holland
through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. Again he resumed his studies
under a private tutor, at The Hague.

In the spring of 1782 he accompanied his
father to Paris, forming acquaintance with
the most distinguished men on the Conti-
nent. After a short visit to England, he re-
turned to Paris and studied until Maj',
1785, when he returned to America, leav-
ing his father an embassador at the court
of St. James. In 1786 he entered the jun-
ior class in Harvard University, and grad-
uated with the second honor of his class.
The oration he delivered on this occasion,
the " Importance of Public Faith to the
Well-being of a Community," was pub-
lished — an event very rare in this or any
other land.

Upon leaving college at the age of twenty
he studied law three years with the Hon.
Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport. In
1790 he opened a law office in Boston. The
profession was crowded with able men, and
the fees were small. The first year he had

3. 2. M.

yOIJN ^UINCr ADAMS.

no clients, but not a moment was lost. The
second year passed away, still no clients,
and still he was dependent upon his parents
for support. Anxiously he awaited the
third year. The reward now came. Cli-
ents began to enter his office, and before
the end of the year he was so crowded
with business that all solicitude respecting
a support was at an end.

When Great Britain commenced war
against France, in 1793, Mr. Adams wrote
some articles, urging entire neutrality on
the part of the United States. The view
was not a popular one. Many felt that as
France had helped us, we were bound to
help France. But President Washington
coincided with Mr. Adams, and issued his
proclamation of neutrality. His writings
at this time in the Boston journals gave
him so high a reputation, that in June,
1794, he was appointed by Washington
resident Minister at the Netherlands. In
July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Port-
ugal as Minister Plenipotentiary. Wash-
ington at this time wrote to his father, John
Adams:

" Without intending to compliment the
father or the mother, or to censure any
others, I give it as my decided opinion,
that Mr. Adams is the most valuable char-
acter we have abroad; and there remains
no doubt in ni}' mind that he will prove the
ablest of our diplomatic corps."

On his way to Portugal, upon his arrival
in London, he met with dispatches direct-
ing him to the court of Berlin, but request-
ing him to remain in London until he should
receive instructions. While waiting he
was married to Miss Louisa Catherine John-
son, to whom he had been previously en-
gaged. Miss Johnson was a daughter of
Mr. Joshua Johnson, American Consul
in London, and was a lady endowed with
that beauty and those accomplishments
which fitted her to move in the elevated
sphere for which she was destined.

In July, 1799, having fulfilled all the pur-
poses of his mission, Mr. Adams returned.
In 1802 he was chosen to the Senate of
Massachusetts from Boston, and then was
elected Senator of the United States for six
years from March 4, 1804. His reputation,
his ability and his experience, placed him
immediately among the most prominent
and influential members of that body. He
sustained the Government in its measures
of resistance to the encroachments of Eng-
land, destroying our commerce and insult-
ing our flag. There was no man in America
more familiar with the arrogance of the
British court upon these points, and no
one more resolved to present a firm resist-
ance. This course, so truly patriotic, and
which scarcely a voice will now be found
to condemn, alienated him from the Fed-
eral party dominant in Boston, and sub-
jected him to censure.

In 1805 Mr. Adams was chosen professor
of rhetoric in Harvard College. His lect-
ures at this place were subsequently pub-
lished. In 1809 he was sent as Minister to
Russia. He was one of the commissioners
that negotiated the treaty of peace with
Great Britain, signed December 24, 1814,
and he was appointed Minister to the court
of St. James in 1815. In 1817 he became
Secretary of State in Mr. Monroe's cabinet
in which position he remained eight years.
Few will now contradict the assertion that
the duties of that office were never more
ably discharged. Probabl}^ the most im-
portant measure which Mr. Adams con-
ducted was the purchase of Florida from
Spain for $5,000,000.

The campaign of 1824 was an exciting
one. Four candidates were in the field.
Of the 260 electoral votes that were cast,
Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John
Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H.
Crawford, forty-one, and Henry Clay,
thirty-seven. As there was no choice by
the people, the question went to the House

of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the
vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he
was elected.

The friends of all disappointed candidates
now combined in a venomous assault upon
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more dis-
graceful in the past history of our country
than the abuse which was poured in one
uninterrupted stream upon this high-
minded, upright, patriotic man. There was
never an administration more pure in prin-
ciples, more conscientiously devoted to the
best interests of the country, than that of
John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps,
was there an administration more unscru-
pulously assailed. Mr. Adams took his seat
in the presidential chair resolved not to
know any partisanship, but only to con-
sult for the interests of the whole Republic,

He refused to dismiss any man from of-
fice for his political views. If he was a faith-
ful officer that was enough. Bitter must
have been his disappointment to find that the
Nation could not appreciate such conduct.

Mr. Adams, in his public manners, was
cold and repulsive; though with his per-
sonal friends he was at times very genial.
This chilling address very seriously de-
tracted from his popularity. No one can
read an impartial record of his administra-
tion without admitting that a more noble
example of uncompromising dignity can
scarcely be found. It was stated publicly
that Mr. Adams' administration was to be
put down, " though it be as pure as the an-
gels which stand at the right hand of the
throne of God." Many of the active par-
ticipants in these scenes lived to regret the
course they pursued. Some years after,
Warren R. Davis, of South Carolina, turn-
ing to Mr. Adams, then a member of the
House of Representatives, said:

" Well do I remember the enthusiastic
zeal with which we reproached the admin-
istration of that gentleman, and the ardor
and vehemence with which we labored to

bring in another. For the share I had in
these transactions, and it was not a small
one, I ho fie God will forgive vie, for I shall
never forgive myself. ' '

March 4, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from
the Presidency and was succeeded by An-
drew Jackson, the latter receiving 168 out
of 261 electoral votes. John C. Calhoun
was ejected Vice-President. The slavery
question now began to assume pretentious
magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy, and pursued his studies with una-
bated zeal. But he was not long permitted
to remain in retirement. In November,
1830, he was elected to Congress. In this
he recognized the principle that it is honor-
able for the General of yestei'day to act as
Corporal to-day, if by so doing he can ren-
der service to his country. Deep as are
our obligations to John Quincy Adams for
his services as embassador, as Secretary of
State and as President; in his capacity as
legislator in the House of Representa-
tives, he conferred benefits upon our land
which eclipsed all the rest, and which can
never be over-estimated.

For seventeen )'ears, until his death, he
occupied the post of Representative, tow-
ering above all his peers, ever ready to do
brave battle for freedom, and winning the
title of " the old man eloquent." Upon
taking his seat in the House he announced
that he should hold himself bound to no
party. He was usually the first in his
place in the morning, and the last to leave
his seat in the evening. Not a measure
could escape his scrutiny. The battle
which he fought, almost singl)-, against the
pro-slavery part}' in the Government, was
sublime in its moral daring and heroism.
For persisting in presenting petitions for
the abolition of slavery, he was threatened
with indictment by the Grand Jury, with
expulsion from the House, with assassina-
tion; but no threats could intimidate him,
and his final triumph was complete.

JOHN ^UINC2- ADAMS.

On one occasion Mr. Adams presented a
petition, signed by several women, against
the annexation of Texas for tlie purpose of
cutting it up into slave States. Mr. How-
ard, of Maryland, said that these women
discredited not only themselves, but their
section of the country, by turning from

j their domestic duties to the conflicts of po-

[ litical life.

[ "Are women," exclaimed Mr. Adams,

I " to have no opinions or actions on subjects
relating to the general welfare? Where
did the gentleman get his principle? Did
he find it in sacred history, — in the language
of Miriam, the prophetess, in one of the
noblest and sublime songs of triumph that
ever met the human eye or ear? Did the
gentleman never hear of Deborah, to whom
the children of Israel came up for judg-
ment ? Has he forgotten the deed of Jael,
who slew the dreaded enemy of her coun-
try ? Has he forgotten Esther, who, by her
petition saved her people and her coun-
try?

" To go from sacred history to profane,
does the gentleman there find it ' discredita-
ble ' for women to take an interest in politi-
cal affairs? Has he forgotten the Spartan
mother, who said to her son when going
out to battle, ' My son, come back to me
ivith thy shield, or upon thy shield ? ' Does
he remember Cloelia and her hundred com-
panions, who swam across the river under
a shower of darts, escaping from Porsena ?
Has he forgotten Cornelia, the mother of
the Gracchi ? Does he not remember Por-
tia, the wife of Brutus and the daughter of
Cato?

" To come to later periods, what says the
history of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors?
To say nothing of Boadicea, the British
heroine in the time of the Cajsars, what
name is more illustrious than that of Eliza-
beth ? Or, if he will go to the continent,
will he not find the names of Maria Theresa
of Hungarv, of the two Catherines of

Prussia, and of Isabella of Castile, the pa-
troness of Columbus ? Did she bring ' dis-
credit ' on her sex by mingling in politics ? "

In this glowing strain Mr. Adams si-
lenced and overwhelmed his antagonists.

In January, 1842, Mr. Adams presented
a petition from forty-five citizens of Haver-
hill, Massachusetts, praying for a peaceable
dissolution of the Union. The pro-slavery
party in Congress, who were then plotting
the destruction of the Government, were
aroused to a pretense of commotion such as
even our stormy hall of legislation has
rarely witnessed. They met in caucus, and,
finding that they probably would not be
able to expel Mr. Adams from the House
drew up a series of resolutions, which, if
adopted, would inflict upon him disgrace,
equivalent to expulsion. Mr. Adams had
presented the petition, which was most re-
spectfully worded, and had moved that it be
referred to a committee instructed to re-
port an answer, showing the reason why
the prayer ought not to be granted.

It was the 25th of January. The whole
body of the pro-slavery party came crowd-
ing together in the House, prepared to
crush Mr. Adams forever. One of the num-
ber, Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, was
appointed to read the resolutions, which
accused Mr. Adams of high treason, of
having insulted the Government, and of
meriting expulsion; but for which deserved
punishment, the House, in its great merc3^
would substitute its severest censure. With
the assumption of a very solemn and mag-
isterial air, there being breathless silence in
the audience, Mr. Marshall hurled the care-
fully prepared anathemas at his victim.
Mr. Adams stood alone, the whole pro-slav-
ery part}' against him.

As soon as the resolutions were read,
every eye being fixed upon him, that bold
old man, whose scattered locks were whit-
ened by sevent)'-five years, casting a wither-
ing glance in the direction of his assailants,

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

in a clear, shrill tone, tremulous with sup-
pressed emotion, said:

" In reply to this audacious, atrocious
charge of high treason, I call for the read-
ing of the first paragraph of the Declaration
of Independence. Read it'! Read it! and
see what that says of the rights of a people
to reform, to change, and to dissolve their
Government.'

The attitude, the manner, the tone, the
words; the venerable old man, v»'ith flash-
ing eye and flushed cheek, and whose very
form seemed to expand under the inspiration
of the occasion — all presented a scene over-
flowing in its sublimity. There was breath-
less silence as that paragraph was read, in
defense of whose principles our fathers had
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor. It was a proud hour to Mr.
Adams as they were all compelled to listen
to the words:

" Thai, to secure these rights, govern-
ments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the
governed; and that whenever any form of
government becomes destructive of those
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or
abolish it, and to institute nev/ government,
laying its foundations on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form
as shall seem most likely to effect their
safety and happiness."

That one sentence routed and baffled the

foe. The heroic old man looked around
upon the audience, and thundered out,
" Read that again ! " It was again read.
Then in a few fiery, logical words he stated
his defense in terms which even prejudiced
minds could not resist. His discomfited
assailants made several attempts to rally.
After a conflict of eleven days they gave
up vanquished and their resolution was ig-
nominiously laid upon the table.

In January, 1846, when seventy-eight
years of age, he took part in the great de-
bate on the Oregon question, displaying
intellectual vigor, and an extent and accu-
racy of acquaintance with the subject that
excited great admiration.

On the 2 1st of February, 1848, he rose on
the floor of Congress with a paper in his
hand to address the Speaker. Suddenly
he fell, stricken by paralysis, and was caught
in the arms of those around him. For a
time he was senseless and was conveyed
to a sofa in the rotunda. With reviving
consciousness he opened his eyes, looked
calml}' around and said, " This is the end of
earth." Then after a moment's pause, he
added, " / am content." These were his last
words, and lie soon breathed his last, in the
apaitment beneath the dome of the capitol
— the theater of his labors and his triumphs.
In the language of hymnology, he " died at
his post;" he " ceased at once to work and
live."

,,#1§^^.

^a>zu^<L^ b:rp'<Q:^.,.-«^^L-t^ ^

ANDREW JACKSON.

^^f/^^'^NDREW JACKSON,
the seventh President
of the United States,
29-'37, was born at
the Waxhaw Settle,
ment, Union Coun-
''j'i^ ty, North Carolina,
Maich i6, 1767. His parents
uere Scotch-Irish, natives of
Cariickfergus, who came to
America in 1765, and settled
on Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib-
utary of the Catawba. His
fathei, who was a poor farm
labuiCi, died shortly before An-
drew's birth, when his mother removed to
Waxhaw, where some relatives resided.

Few particulars of the childhood of Jack-
son have been preserved. His education
was of the most limited kind, and he showed
no fondness for books. He grew up to be a
tali, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck-
led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from
trousers too short for him, very fond of ath-
letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling.
He was generous to the younger and
weaker boys, but very irascible and over-
bearing with his equals and superiors. He
was profane — a vice in which he surpassed
all other men. The character of his mother

he revered; and it was not until after her
death that his predominant vices gained
full strength.

In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew,
or Andy, as he was called, with his brother
Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo-
lutionary forces under General Sumter, and
was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang-
ing Rock. In the following year the
brothers were made prisoners, and confined
in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment
from their captors, and being spectators of
General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill.
Through their mother's exertions the boys
were exchanged while suffering from small-
pox. In two days Robert was dead, and
Andy apparently dying. The strength of
his constitution triumphed, and he regained
health and vigor.

As he was getting better, his mother
heard the cry of anguish from the prison-
ers whom the British held in Charleston,
among whom were the sons of her sisters.
She hastened to their relief, was attacked
by fever, died and was buried where her
grave could never be found. Thus Andrew
Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was
left alone in the world, without father,
mother, sister or brother, and without one
dollar which he could call his own. He

PI^ESIDBNTS OF THE UNITED

soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored
diligently for six months. But gradually,
as health returned, he became more and
more a wild, reckless, lawless " boy. He
gambled, drank and was regarded as about
the worst character that could be found.

He now turned schoolmaster. He could
teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica-
tion table; and as he was a very bold boy,
it is possible he might have ventured to
teach a little writing. But he soon began to
think of a profession and decided to study
law. With a very slender purse, and on
the back of a ver}- fine horse, he set out
for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he
entered the law office of Mr. McCay.
Here he remained two years, professedly
studying law. He is still remembered in
traditions of Salisbury, which say:

" Andrew Jackson was the most roaring,
rollicking, horse-racing, card-playing, mis-
chievous fellow that ever lived iu Salisbur}'.
He did not trouble the law-books much."

Andrew was now, at the age of twent}',
a tall young man, being over six feet in
height. He was slender, remarkably grace-
ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis-
ite horseman, and developed, amidst his
loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a
vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was
fiery in the extreme; but it was said of him
that no man knew better than Andrew
Jackson when to get angry and when not.

In 1786 he was admitted to the bar, and
two years later removed to Nashville,
in what was then the western district of
North Carolina, with the appointment of so-
licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of-
fice of little honor, small emolument and
great peril. Few men could be found to
accept it.

And now Andrew Jackson commenced
vigorously to practice law. It was an im-
portant part of his business to collect debts.
It required nerve. During the first seven
years of his residence in those wilds he

traversed the almost pathless forest between
Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of
200 miles, twent)'-two times. Hostile In-
dians were constantl}' on the watch, and a
man was liable at any moment to be shot
down in his own field. Andrew Jackson
was just the man for this service — a wild,
daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he
made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to
bear a charmed life. Boldl}', alone or with
few companions, he traversed the forests,
encountering all perils and triumphing
over all.

In 1790 Tennessee became a Territory,
and Jackson was appointed, by President
Washington, United States Attorney for
the new district. In 1791 he married Mrs.
Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John
Donelson), whom he supposed to have been
divorced in that year by an act of the Leg-
islature of Virginia. Two years after this
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their
great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just
obtained a divorce in one of the courts of
Kentucky, and that the act of the Virginia
Legislature was not final, but conditional.
To remed}' the irregularity as much as pos-
sible, a new license was obtained and the
marriage ceremony 'was again performed.

It proved to be a marriage of rare felic-
ity. Probably there never was a more
affectionate union. However rough Mr.
Jackson might have been abroad, he was
alwa3^s gentle and tender at home; and
through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he
treated Mrs. Jackson with the most chival-
ric attention.

Under the circumstances it was not un-
natural that the facts in the case of this
marriage were so misrepresented b}- oppo-
nents in the political campaigrts a quarter
or a century later as to become the basis
of serious charges against Jackson's moral-
ity which, however, have been satisfactorily
attested by abundant evidence.

Jackson was untiring in his duties as

United States Attorney, which demanded
frequent journeys through the wilderness
and exposed him to Indian hostilities. He
acquired considerable property in land, and
obtained such influence as to be chosen
a member of the convention which framed
the Constitution for the new State of Ten-
nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected
its first Representative in Congress. Albert
Gallatin thus describes the first appearance
of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House:
"A tall, lank, uncouth-looking personage,
with locks of hair hanging over his face and
a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin;
his dress singular, his manners and deport-
ment those of a rough backwoodsman."

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the
Democratic party. Jefferson was his idol.
He admired Bonaparte, loved France and
hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his
seat, General Washington, whose second
term of office was just expiring, delivered
his last speech to Congress. A committee
drew up a complimentary address in reply.
Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad-
dress and was one of twelve who voted
against it.

Tennessee had fitted out an expedition
against the Indians, contrary to the policy
of the Government. A resolution was intro-
duced that the National Government
should pay the expenses. Jackson advo-
cated it and it was carried. This rendered
him very popular in Tennessee. A va-
cancy chanced soon after to occur in the
Senate, and Andrew Jackson was chosen
United States Senator by the State of Ten-
nessee. John Adams was then President
and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President.

In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes-
see, and resigned his seat in the Senate.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su-
preme Court of that State, with a salary of
$600. This office he held six years. It is
said that his decisions, though som.etimes
ungrammatical, were generally right. He

did not enjoy his seat upon the bench, and
renounced the dignity in 1804. About
this time he was chosen Major-General of
militia, and lost the title of judge in that of
General.

When he retired from the Senate Cham-
ber, he decided to try his fortune through
trade. He purchased a stock of goods in
Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville,
where he opened a store. He lived about
thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of
land of several thousand acres, mostly un-
cultivated. He used a small block-house
for a store, from a narrow window of
which he sold goods to the Indians. As he
had an assistant his office as judge did not
materially interfere with his business.

As to slavery, born in the midst of it, the
idea never seemed to enter his mind that it
could be wrong. He eventually became
an extensive slave owner, but he was one of
the most humane and gentle of masters.

In 1804 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol-
itics and settled on a plantation which he
called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He
set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership
and traded in New Orleans, making the
voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem-
per he became involved in several quarrels
and "affairs of honor," during this period,
in one of which he was severely wounded,
but had the misfortune to kill his opponent,
Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair
greatly injured General Jackson's popular-
ity. The verdict then was, and continues
to be, that General Jackson was outra-
geously wrong. If hesubsequently felt any
remorse he never revealed it to anyone.

In 1805 Aaron Burr had visited Nash-
ville and been a guest of Jackson, with
whom he corresponded on the subject of a
war with Spain, which was anticipated and
desired by them, as well as by the people
of the Southwest generally.

Burr repeated his visit in September,
1806, when he engaged in the celebrated

P/fEJ/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

combinations which led to his trial for trea-
son. He was warml)- received by Jackson,
at whose instance a public ball was given
in his honor at Nashville, and contracted
with the latter for boats and provisions.
Early in 1807, when Burr had been pro-
claimed a traitor by President Jefferson,
volunteer forces for the Federal service
were organized at Nashville under Jack-
son's command; but his energy and activ-
ity did not shield him from suspicions of
connivance in the supposed treason. He
was summoned to Richmond as a witness
in Burr's trial, but was not called to the
stand, probably because he was out-spoken
in his partisanship.

On the outbreak of the war with Great
Britain in 1812, Jackson tendered his serv-
ices, and in January, 181 3, embarked for
New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee
contingent. In March he received an or-
der to disband his forces; but in Septem-
ber he again took the field, in the Creek
war, and in conjunction with his former
partner. Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the
Indians the memorable defeat at Talladega,
Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa.

In May, 18 14, Jackson, who had now ac-
quired a national i^eputation, was appointed
a Major-General of the United States army,
and commenced a campaign against the
British in Florida. He conducted the de-
fense at Mobile, September 15, seized upon
Pensacola, November 6, and immediately
transported the bulk of his troops to New
Orleans, then threatened by a powerful
naval force. Martial law was declared in
Louisiana, the State militia was called to
arms, engagements with the British were
fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en-
forcements had been received on both sides
the famous victory of January 8, 1815,
crowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and
made him the typical American hero of
the first half of the nineteenth century.

In i8i7-'i8 Jackson conducted the war

against the Seminoles of Florida, during
which he seized upon Pensacola and exe-
cuted by courtmartial two British subjects,

Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which

might easily have involved the United
States in war both with Spain and Great
Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted
by the cession of Florida to the United
States; and Jackson, who had escaped a
trial for the irregularity of his conduct
only through a division of opinion in Mon-
roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov-
ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he
declined the appointment of minister to
Mexico.

In 1S23 Jackson was elected to the United
States Senate, and nominated by the Ten-
nessee Legislature for the Presidency. This
candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and
even merryment, speedil}^ became popular,
and in 1824, when the stormy electoral can-
vas resulted in the choice of John Quincy
Adams by the House of Representatives,
General Jackson received the largest popu-
lar vote among the four candidates.

In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected
President over Adams after a campaign of
unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu-
rated March 4, 1829, and at once removed
from office all the incumbents belonging to
the opposite party — a procedure new to
American politics, but which naturally be-
came a precedent.

His first term was characterized by quar-
rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun,
and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at-
tended by a cabinet crisis originating in
scandals connected with the name of Mrs.
General Eaton, wife of the Secretary of
War; by the beginning of his war upon the
United States Bank, and by his vigorous
action against the partisans of Calhoun,
who, in South Carolina, threatened to
nullify the acts of Congress, establishing a
protective tariff.

In the Presidential campaign of 1832

ANDREW JACKSON.

Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral
votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while
Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform,
received the vote of Vermont alone. In
1833 President Jackson removed the Gov-
ernment deposits from the United States
bank, thereby incurring a vote of censure
from the Senate, which was, however, ex-
punged four years later. During this second
term of office the Cherokees, Choctaws and
Creeks were removed, not without diffi-
culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis-
sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National
debt was extinguished; Arkansas and
Michigan were admitted as States to the
Union; the Seminole war was renewed; the
anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor-
tance; the Mormon delusion, which had
organized in 1829, attained considerable
proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the
country experienced its greatest pecuniary
panic.

Railroads with locomotive propulsion
were introduced into America during Jack-
son's first term, and had become an impor-
tant element of national life before the
close of his second term. For many rea-
sons, therefore, the administration of Presi-
dent Jackson formed an era in American
history, political, social and industrial.
He succeeded in effecting the election of

his friend Van Buren as his successor, re-
tired from the Presidency March 4, 1837,
and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage
until his death, which occurred June 8,
1845.

During his closing years he was a pro-
fessed Christian and a member ol the Pres-
byterian church. No American of this
century has been the subject of such oppo-
site judgments. He was loved and hated
with equal vehemence during his fife, but
at the present distance of time from his
career, while opinions still vary as to the
merits of his public acts, few of his country-
men will question that he was a warm-
hearted, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere
man. If his distinguishing qualities were
not such as constitute statesmanship, in the
highest sense, he at least never pretended
to other merits than such as were written
to his credit on the page of American his-
tory — not attempting to disguise the de-
merits which were equally legible. The
majority of his countrymen accepted and
honored him, in spite of all that calumny
as well as truth could allege against him.
His faults may therefore be truly said to
have been those of his time; his magnifi-
cent virtues may also, with the same jus-
tice, be considered as typical of a state of
society which has nearly passed away.

EB*M»«"«--Jia»iSWS»&«»»»»,»J««W,B,B.5gB»g»gBiS»iE»g«IS«riB»^^

PRESIDENTS OF THE U.XITED STATES.

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\RTIN VAN BU-
REN, the eighth
'j.-^ps, President of the
United States, 1837-
_ _ _ '41, was born at Kin-
"^•X derhook, Ne w York,
December 5, 1782.
His ancestors were of Dutch
origin, and were among the
earliest emigrants from Hol-
land to the banks of the
Hudson. His father was a
tavern-keeper, as well as a
farmer, and a very decided
Democrat.
*" Martin commenced the study
of law at the age of fourteen, and took an
active part in politics before he had reached
the age of twenty. In 1803 he commenced
the practice of law in his native village.
In 1809 he removed to Hudson, the shire
town of his county, where he spent seven
years, gaining strength by contending in
the courts with some of the ablest men
who have adorned the bar of his State.
The heroic example of John Quincy Adams
in retaining in office every faithful man,
without regard to his political preferences,
had been thoroughly repudiated by Gen-
eral Jackson. The unfortunate principle
was now fully estabhshed, that " to the
victor belong the spoils." Still, this prin-
ciple, to which Mr. Van Buren gave his ad-

herence, was not devoid of inconveniences.
When, subsequently, he attained power
which placed vast patronage in his hands,
he was heard to say : " I prefer an office
that has no patronage. When I give a man
an office I offend his disappointed competi-
tors and their friends. Nor am I certain of
gaining a friend in the man I appoint, for,
in all probability, he expected something
better."

In 18 1 2 Mr. Van Buren was elected to
the State Senate. In 181 5 he was appointed
Atiorne3f-General, and in t 8 16 to the Senate
a second time. In 18 18 there was a great
split in the Democratic party in Nev/ York,
and Mr. Van Buren took the lead in or-
ganizing that portion of the party called
the Albany Regency, which is said to have
swayed the destinies of the State for a
quarter of a century.

In 1 82 1 he was chosen a member of the
convention for revising the State Constitu-
tion, in which he advocated an extension of
the franchise, but opposed universal suf-
frage, and also favored the proposal that
colored persons, in order to vote, should
have freehold property to the amount of
$250. In this year he was also elected to
the United States Senate, and at the con-
clusion of his term, in 1S27, was re-elected,
but resigned the following year, having
been chosen Governor of the State. In
March, 1829, he was appointed Secretary of

■■■■■^■■■■^■■■■■■■d

O 7 lyi^^ .^^-/j^.^^^1-^^^

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

State by President Jackson, but resigned
in April, 1831, and during the recess of
Congress was appointed minister to Eng-
land, whitlier he proceeded in Septembci",
but the Senate, when convened in Decem-
ber, refused to ratify the appointment.

In May, 1832, Mr. Van Buren was nomi-
nated as the Democratic candidate for Vice-
President, and elected in the following
November. May 26, 1836, he received the
nomination to succeed General Jackson as
President, and received 170 electoral votes,
out of 283.

Scarcely had he taken his seat in the
Presidential chair when a financial panic
swept over the land. Many attributed
this to the war which General Jackson had
waged on the banks, and to his endeavor to
secure an almost exclusive specie currency.
Nearly every bank in the country, was com-
pelled to suspend specie payment, and ruin
pervaded all our great cities. Not less than
254 houses failed in New York in one week.
All public works were brought to a stand,
and there was a general state of dismay.
President Van Buren urged tlie adoption of
the independent treasury system, which
was twice passed in the Senate and defeated
in the House, but finally became a law near
the close of his rxlministration.

Another important measure was the pass-
age of a pre-emption law, giving actual set-
tlers the preference in the purchase of
public lands. The question of slavery, also,
now began to assume great prominence in
national politics, and after an elaborate
anti-slavery speech by Mr. Slade, of Ver-
mont, in the House of Representatives, the
Southern members withdrew for a separate
consultation, at which Mr. Rhctt, of South
Carolina, proposed to declare it expedient
that the Union should be dissolved ; but
the matter was tided over by the passage
of a resolution that no petitions or papers
relating to slavery should be in any way
considered or acted upon.

In the Presidential election of 1840 Mr.
Van Buren was nominated, without opposi-
tion, as the Democratic candidate, William
H. Harrison being the candidate of the
Whig party. The Democrats carried only
seven States, and out of 294 electoral votes
only sixty were for Mr. Van Buren, the re-
maining 234 being for his opponent. The
Whig popular majority, however, was not
large, the elections in many of the States
being very close.

March 4, 1841, Mr. Van Buren retired
from the Presidency. From his fine estate
at Lindenwald he still exerted a powerful
influence upon the politics of the country.
In 1844 he was again proposed as the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency,
and a majority of the delegates of the
nominating convention were in his favor ;
but, owing to his opposition to the pro-
posed annexation of Texas, he could not
secure the requisite two-thirds vote. His
name was at length withdrawn by his
friends, and Mr. Polk received the nomina-
tion, and was elected.

In 1848 Mr. Cass was the regular Demo-
cratic candidate. A schism, however,
sprang up in the party, upon the question
of the permission of slavery in the newly-
acquired territory, and a portion of the
party, taking the name of " Free-Soilers,"
nominated Mr. Van Buren. They drev/
away sufficient votes to secure the election
of General Taylor, the Whig candidate.
After this Mr. Van Buren retired to his es-
tate at Kinderhook, where the remainder
of his life was passed, with the exception of
a European tour in 1853. He died at
Kinderhook, July 24, 1862, at the age of
eighty years.

Martin Van Buren was a great and good
man, and no one will question his right to
a high position among those who have
been the successors of Washington in the
faithful occupancy of the Presidential
chair.

PRESIDENTS OP THM UNITED STATES.

^^%ILLIAffl HENRY MfiRISHI. ^^^^^

ILL I AM HENRY
HARRISON, the
ninth President of
the United States,
I 8 4 I , was born
February 9, 1773,
in Charles County,
Virginia, at Berkeley, the resi-
dence of his father. Governor
Benjamin Harrison. He studied
at Hampden, Sidney College,
with a view of entering the med-
ical profession. After graduation
he went to Philadelphia to study
medicine under the instruction of
Dr. Rush.
George Washington was then President
of the United States. The Indians were
committing fearful ravages on our North-
western frontier. Young Harrison, either
lured by the love of adventure, or moved
by the sufferings of families exposed to the
most horrible outrages, abandoned his med-
ical studies and entered the army, having
obtained a commission of ensign from Pres-
ident Washington. The first duty assigned
him was to take a train of pack-horses
bound to Fort Hamilton, on the Miami
River, about forty miles from Fort Wash-
ington. He was soon promoted to the

rank of Lieutenant, and joined the army
which Washington had placed under the
command of General Wayne to prosecute
more vigorously the war with the In-
dians. Lieutenant Harrison received great
commendation from his commanding offi-
cer, and was promoted to the rank of
Captain, and placed in command at Fort
Washington, now Cincmnati, Ohio.

About this time he married a daughter
of John Cleves Symmes, one of the fron-
tiersmen who had established a thriving
settlement on the bank of the Maumee.

In 1797 Captain Harrison resigned his
commission in the army and was appointed
Secretary of the Northwest Territory, and
ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor, General St.
Clair being then Governor of the Territory.
At that time the law in reference to the
disposal of the public lands was such that
no one could purchase in tracts less than
4,000 acres. Captain Harrison, in the
face of violent opposition, succeeded in
obtaining so much of a modification of
this unjust law that the land was sold in
alternate tracts of 640 and 320 acres. The
Northwest Territory was then entitled
to one delegate in Congress, and Cap-
tain Harrison was chosen to fill that of-
fice. In 1800 he was appointed Governor

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IVJLL/AAf HENnr HARRISON.

' of Indiana Territory and soon after of
Upper Louisiana. He was also Superin-
tendent of Indian Affairs, and so well did he
fulfill these duties that he was four times
appointed to this office. During his admin-
istration he effected thirteen treaties with
the Indians, by which the United States
acquired 60,000,000 acres of land. In 1804
he obtained a cession from the Indians of
all the land between the Illinois River and
the Mississippi.
In 1S12 he was made Major-General of
j Kentucky militia and Brigadier-General
\ in the army, with the command of the
I Northwest frontier. In 1813 he was made
I Major-General, and as such won much re-
: nown by the defense of Fort Meigs, and the
battle of the Thames, Octobers, 1813. In
1 8 14 he left the army and was employed in
Indian affairs by the Government.

In 1816 General Harrison was chosen a
member of the National House of Repre-
sentatives to represent the district of Ohio.
In the contest which preceded his election
he was accused of corruption in respect to
the commissariat of the army. Immedi-
ately upon taking his seat, he called for an
investigation of the charge. A committee
was appointed, and his vindication was
triumphant. A high compliment was paid
to his patriotism, disinterestedness and
devotion to the public service. For these
: services a gold medal was presented to him
j with the thanks of Congress.

In 1 8 19 he was elected to the Senate of
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presiden-
■ tial electors of that State, he gave his vote
to Henry Clay. In the same year he was
elected to the Senate of the United States.
In 1828 he was appointed by President
Adams minister plenipotentiary to Colom-
bia, but was recalled by General Jackson
immediately after the inauguration of the
latter.

Upon his return to the United States,
General Harrison retired to his farm at

North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, six-
teen miles below Cincinnati, where for
twelve years he was clerk of the County
Court. He once owned a distillery, but
perceiving the sad effects of whisky upon
the surrounding population, he promptly
abandoned his business at great pecuniary
sacrifice.

In 1836 General Hairison was brought
forward as a candidate for the Presidency.
Van Buren was the administration candi-
date; the opposite party could not unite,
and four candidates were brought forward.
General Harrison received seventy-three
electoral votes without any general concert
among his friends. The Democratic party
triumphed and Mr. Van Buren was chosen
President. In 1839 General Harrison was
again nominated for the Presidency by the
Whigs, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr.
Van Buren being the Democratic candi-
date. General Harrison received 234 elec-
toral votes against sixty for his opponent.
This election is memorable chiefly for the
then extraordinary means employed during
the canvass for popular votes. Mass meet-
ings and processions were introduced, and
the watchwords " log cabin " and " hard
cider " were effectually used by the Whigs,
and aroused a popular enthusiasm.

A vast concourse of people attended his
inauguration. His address on that occasion
was in accordance with his antecedents, and
gave great satisfaction. A short time after he
took his seat, he was seized by a pleurisy-
fever, and after a few days of violent sick-
ness, died April 4, just one short month after
his inauguration. His death was universally
regarded as one of the greatest of National
calamities. Never, since the death of
Washington, were there, throughout one
land, such demonstrations of sorrow. Not
one single spot can be found to sully his
fame; and through all ages Americans will
pronounce with love and reverence the
name of William Henrv Harrison.

Presidents of the united states.

OHN TYLER, the tenth
President of the United
States, was born in
Charles City County,
Virginia, March 29, 1790.
His father. Judge John
Tyler, possessed large
landed estates in Virginia,
and was one of the most
distinguished men of his
day, fining the offices of
Speaker of the House of
Delegates, Judge of the Su-
preme Court and Governor
of the State.
At the early age of twelve
John entered William and Mary
College, and graduated with honor when
but seventeen years old. He then closely
applied himself to the study of law, and at
nineteen years of age commenced the prac-
tice of his profession. When only twenty-
one he was elected to a seat in the State
Legislature. He acted with the Demo-
cratic party and advocated the measures of
Jefferson and Madison. For five years he
was elected to the Legislature, receiving
nearly the unanimous vote of his county.

When but twenty-six years of age he was
elected a member of Congress. He advo-
cated a strict construction of the Constitu-
tion and the most careful vigilance over

youn^

State rights. He was soon compelled to
resign his seat in Congress, owing to ill
health, but afterward took his seat in the
State Legislature, where he exerted a
powerful influence in promoting public
works of great utility.

In 1825 Mr. Tyler was chosen Governor
of his State — a high honor, for Virginia
had many able men as competitors for
the prize. His administration was signally
a successful one. He urged forward inter-
nal improvements and strove to remove
sectional jealousies. His popularity secured
his re-election. In 1827 he was elected
United States Senator, and upon taking his
seat joined the ranks of the opposition. He
opposed the tariff, voted against the bank
as unconstitutional, opposed all restrictions
upon slavery, resisted all projects of inter-
nal improvements by the General Govern-
ment, avowed his sympathy with Mr. Cal-
houn's views of nullification, and declared
that General Jackson, by his opposition to
the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles
of the Democratic party. Such was Mr.
Tyler's record in Congress.

This hostility to Jackson caused Mr.
Tyler's retirement from the Senate, after
his election to a second term. He soon
after removed to Williamsburg for the
better education of his children, and again
took his S2at in the Legislature.

JCrj'i^rc Mj^^

In 1839 he was sent to the National Con-
vention at Harrisburg to nominate a Presi-
dent. General Harrison received a majority
of votes, much to the disappointment of the
South, who had wished for Henry Cla3^
In order to conciliate the Southern Whigs,
John Tyler was nominated for Vice-Presi-
dent. Harrison and Tyler were inaugu-
rated March 4, 1841. In one short month
from that time President Harrison died,
and Mr. Tyler, to his own surprise as well
as that of the nation, found himself an
occupant of the Presidential chair. His
position was an exceedingly difficult one,
as he was opposed to the main principles of
the party which had brought him into
power. General Harrison had selected a
Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and
thus surround himself with councilors
whose views were antagonistic to his own?
or should he turn against the party that
had elected him, and select a cabinet in
harmony with himself? This was his fear-
ful dilemma.

President Tyler deserves more charity
than he has received. He issued an address
to the people, which gave general satisfac-
tion. He retained the cabinet General
Harrison had selected. His veto of a bill
chartering a new national bank led to an
open quarrel with the party which elected
him, and to a resignation of the entire
cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretary
of State.

President Tyler attempted to conciliate.
He appointed a new cabinet, leaving out all
strong party men, but the Whig members
of Congress were not satisfied, and they
published a manifesto September 13, break-
ing off all political relations. The Demo-
crats had a majority in the House ; the
Whigs in the Senate. Mr. Webster soon
found it necessary to resign, being forced
out by the pressure of his Whig friends.

April 12, 1844, President Tyler concluded,
through Mr. Calhoun, a treaty for the an-

nexation of Texas, which was rejected by
the Senate ; but he effected his object in the
closing days of his administration by the
passage of the joint resolution of March i
1845.

He was nominated for the Presidency by
an informal Democratic Convention, held
at Baltimore in May, 1844, but soon with-
drew from the canvass, perceiving that he
had not gained the confidence of the Demo-
crats at large.

Mr. Tyler's administration was particu-
larly unfortunate. No one was satisfied.
Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him.
Situated as he was, it is more than can
be expected of human nature that he
should, in all cases, have acted in the wisest
manner ; but it will probably be the verdict
of all candid men, in a careful review of his
career, that John Tyler was placed in a
position of such difficult}^ that he could not
pursue an}' course which would not expose
him to severe censure and denunciation.

In 18 1 3 Mr. Tyler married Letitia Chris-
tian, who bore him three sons and three
daughters, and died in Washington in 1842.
June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar-
riage with Miss Julia Gardner, of New
York. He lived in almost complete retire-
ment from politics until February, 1861,
when he was a member of the abortive
" peace convention," held at Washington,
and was chosen its President. Soon after
he renounced his allegiance to the United
States and was elected to the Confederate
Congress. He died at Richmond, January
17, 1862, after a short illness.

Unfortunately for his memory the name
of John Tyler must forever be associated
with all the misery of that terrible Re-
bellion, whose cause he openly espoused.
It is with sorrow that history records that
a President of the United States died while
defending the flag of rebellion, which was
arrayed against the national banner in
deadly warfare.

VxMES KNOX POLK,
the eleventh President of
the United States, 1845-
*49, was born in Meck-
» lenburg County, North
CaroHna, November 2,
1795. He was the eldest
son of a family of six sons
and four daughters, and was
■ a grand-nephew of Colonel
Thomas Polk, celebrated in
^ connection with the Meck-
lenburg Declaration of In-
dependence.

In 1806 his father, Samuel
Polk, emigrated with his fam-
il}' two or three hundred miles west to the
valley of the Duck River. He was a sur-
veyor as well as farmer, and gradually in-
creased in wealth until he became one of
the leading men of the region.

In the common schools James rapidly be-
came proficient in all the common branches
of an English education. In 1813 he was
sent to Murfreesboro Academy, and in the
autumn of 181 5 entered the sophomore class
in the University of North Carolina, at
Chapel Hill, graduating in 1818. After a
short season of recreation he went to Nash-
ville and entered the law office of Felix
Grundv. As soon as he had his finished

legal studies and been admitted to the
he returned to Columbia, the shire town of
Maury County, and opened an office.

James K. Polk ever adhered to the polit-
ical faith of his father, which was that of
a Jeffersonian Republican. In 1823 he was
elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. As
a " strict constructionist," he did not think
that the Constitution empowered the Gen-
eral Government to carry on a system of
internal improvements in the States, but
deemed it important that it should have
that power, and wished the Constitution I
amended that it might be conferred. Sub^ 1
sequently, however, he becariie alarmed lest |
the General Government become so strong |
as to undertake to interfere with slavery. '
He therefore gave all his influence to
strengthen the State governments, and to
check the growth of the central power.

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss
Mary Childress, of Rutherford County, Ten-
nessee. Had some one then whispered to
him that he was destined to become Presi-
dent of the United States, and that he must
select for his companion one who would
adorn that distinguished station, he could
not have made a more fitting choice. She
was truly a lady of rare beauty and culture.

In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk was chosen
a member of Congress, and was continU'

JAMES K. POLK.

oiisly re-elected until 1839. He then with-
drew, only that he might accept the
gubernatorial chair of his native State.
He was a warm friend of General Jackson,
who had been defeated in the electoral
contest by John Quincy Adams. This
latter gentleman had just taken his seat in
the Presidential chair when Mr. Polk took
his seat in the House of Representatives.
He immediately united himself with the
opponents of Mr. Adams, and was soon
regarded as the leader of the Jackson party
in the House.

The four years of Mr. Adams' adminis-
tration passed awa}-, and General Jackson
took the Presidential chair. Mr. Polk had
now become a man of great influence in
I Congress, and was chairman of its most
j important committee — that of Wa3^s and
Means. Eloquently he sustained General
Jackson in all his measures — in his hostility
to internal improvements, to the banks, and
to the tariff. Eight years of General Jack-
son's administration passed away, and the
powejs he had wielded passed into the
hands of Martin Van Buren ; and still Mr.
Polk remained in the House, the advocate
of that type of Democracy which those
distinguished men upheld.

During five sessions of Congress Mr.
Polk was speaker of the House. He per-
formed his arduous duties to general satis-
faction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to
, him was passed by the House as he with-
I drew, March 4, 1839. He was elected
! Governor by a large majorit}', and took
1 the oath of office at Nashville, October 14,
1839. He was a candidate for re-election
in 1 841, but was defeated. In the mean-
time a wonderful revolution had swept
over the country. "W. H. Harrison.the Whig
candidate, had been called to the Presiden-
tial chair, and in Tennessee the Whig ticket
had been carried by over 12,000 majority.
Under these circumstances Mr. Polk's suc-
cess was hopeless. Still he canvassed the

State with his Whig competitor, Mr. Jones,
traveling in the most friendly manner to-
gether, often in the same carriage, and at
one time sleeping in the same bed. Mr.
Jones was elected by 3,000 majority.

And now the question of the annexation
of Texas to our country agitated the whole
land. When this question became national
Mr. Polk, as the avowed champion of an-
nexation, became the Presidential candidate
of the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic
party, and George M. Dallas their candi-
date for the Vice-Presidency. They were
elected by a large majority, and were in-
augurated March 4, 1845.

President Polk formed an able cabinet,
consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J.
Walker, William L. Marcy, George Ban-
croft, Cave Johnson and John Y. Mason.
The Oregon boundary question was settled,
the Department of the Interior was created,
the low tariff ot 1846 was carried, the
financial system of the Government was
reorganized, the Mexican war was con-
ducted, which resulted in the acquisition of
California and New Mexico, and had far-
reaching consequences upon the later fort-
unes of tlie republic. Peace was made.
We had wrested from Mexico territory
equal to four times the empire of France,
and five times that of Spain. In the prose-
cution of this war we expended 20,000
lives and more than $100,000,000. Of this
money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico.

Declining to seek a renomination, Mr.
Polk retired from the Presidency March 4,
1849, when he was succeeded by General
Zachary Taylor. He retired to Nashville,
and died there June 19, 1849, i" the fifty-
fourth year of his age. His funeral was at-
tended the following day, in Nashville, with
every demonstration of respect. He left
no children. Without being possessed of
extraordinary talent, Mr. Polk was a capable
administrator of public affairs, and irre-
proachable in private life.

' ,r • ,:yK-4^^^^t£i^

^'o^t

ACHARY TAY-
LOR, the twelfth
President of the
United States,
1 849-' 50, was born
in Orange County,
Virginia, Septem-
ber 24, 1784. His father,
Richard Taylor, was Colo-
nel of a Virginia regiment
in the Revolutionary war,
and removed to Kentucky
in 1785 ; purchased a large
plantation near Louisville
and became an influential cit-
izen ; was a member of the convention that
framed the Constitution of Kentucky ; served
in both branches of the Legislature ; was
Collector of the port of Louisville under
President Washington ; as a Presidential
elector, voted for Jefferson, Madison, Mon-
roe and Clay; died January 19,1829.

Zachary remained on his father's planta-
tion until 1808, in which year (May 3) he
was appointed First Lieutenant in the
Seventh Infantry, to fill a vacancy oc-
casioned by the death of his elder brother,
Hancock. Up to this point he had received
but a limited education.

Joining his regiment at New Orleans, he

was attacked with yellow fever, with nearly
fatal termination. In November, 1810, he
was promoted to Captain, and in the sum-
mer o( 18 1 2 he was in command of Fort
Harrison, on the left bank of the Wabash
River, near the present site of Terre Haute,
his successful defense of which with but a
handful of men against a large force of
Indians which had attacked him was one of
the first marked military achievements of
the war. He was then brevetted Major,
and in 18 14 promoted to the full rank.

During the remainder of the war Taylor
was actively employed on the Western
frontier. In the peace organization of 1815
he was retained as Captain, but soon after
resigned and settled near Louisville. In
May, 1816, however, he re-entered the army
as Major of the Third Infantry ; became
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Infantry
in 1819, and in 1832 attained the Colonelcy
of the First Infantry, of which lie had been
Lieutenant-Colonel since 1821. On different
occasions he had been called to Washington
as member of a military board for organiz- 1
ing the militia of the Union, and to aid the
Government with his knowledge in the ,
organization of the Indian Bureau, having
for many years discharged the duties of
Indian agent over large tracts of Western

/::i^<0^/Q:^V''7-y/yc^

Z AC HART TAYLOR.

country. He served through the Black
Hawk war in 1832, and in 1837 was ordered
to take command in Florida, then the scene
of war with the Indians.

In 1846 he was transferred to the com-
mand of the Army of the Southwest, from
which he was relieved the same year at his
own request. Subsequently he was sta-
tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts
Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work
had been built under his direction in 1822.

May 28, 1845, he received a dispatch from
the Secretary of War informing him of the
receipt of information by the President
"that Texas would shortly accede to the
terms of annexation," in which event he
was instructed to defend and protect her
from "foreign invasion and Indian incur-
sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation
of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus
Christi, where his force was increased to
some 4,000.

Taylor was brevetted Major-General May
28, and a month later, June 29, 1S46, his full
commission to that grade was issued. After
needed rest and reinforcement, he advanced
in September on Monterey, which city ca-
pitulated after three-days stubborn resist-
ance. Here he took up his winter quarters.
The plan for the invasion of Mexico, by
way of Vera Cruz, with General Scott in
command, was now determined upon by
the Govenrment, and at the moment Taylor
was about to resume active operations, he
received ordeis to send the larger part of
his force to reinforce the army of General
Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently
reinforced by raw recruits, yet after pro-
viding a garrison for Monterey and Saltillo
he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of
which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In
this weakened condition, however, he was
destined to achieve his greatest victory.
Confidently relying upon his strength at
Vera Cruz to resist the enemy for a long
tim.e, Santa Anna directed his entire army

against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then
to return to oppose the advance of Scott's
more formidable invasion. The battle of
Bucna Vista was fought February 22 and .
23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks of
Congress and a gold medal, and '• Old
Rough and Ready," the sobriquet given
him in the army, became a household word.
He remained in quiet possession of the
Rio Grande Valley until November, when
he returned to the United States.

In the Whig convention which met at
Philadelphia,June 7, 1848, Taylor was nomi-
nated on the fourth ballot as candidate of
the Whig party for President, over Henry
Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster.
In November Ta3'lor received a majority
of electoral votes, and a popular vote of
1,360,752, against 1,219,962 for Cass and
Butler, and 291,342 for Van Buren and
Adams. General Taylor was inaugurated
March 4, 1849.

The free and slave States being then equal
in number, the struggle for supremacy on
the part of the leaders in Congress was
violent and bitter. In the summer of 1849
California adopted in convention a Consti-
tution prohibiting slavery within its borders.
Taylor advocated the immediate admission
of California with her Constitution, and the
postponement of the question as to the other
Territories until they could hold conven-
tions and decide for themselves whether
slavery should exist within their borders.
This policy ultimately prevailed through
the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of
Henry Clay; but not during the life of the
brave soldier and patriot statesman. July
5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious
fever, which proved fatal, his death occur-
ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters
married Colonel W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju-
tant-General and Chief of Staff in Florida
and Mexico, and Private Secretary during
his Presidency. Another daughter was
married to Jefferson Davis.

PUES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

.g., ; ^jB^

LL A RD FILL-
MORE, the thir-
Ik^^^kI/ teenth President
of the United
[i^ States, i85o-'3, was
born in Summer
Hill, Cayuga
County, New York, Janu-
ary 7, 1800. He was of
New England ancestry, and
his educational advantages
were limited. He early
karned the clothiers' trade,
but spent all his leisure time
111 study. At nineteen years
)f age he was induced by
Wood to abandon his trade
and commence the study of law. Upon
learning that the young man was entirely
destitute of means, he took him into his
own office and loaned him such money as
he needed. That he might not be heavily
burdened with debt, young Fillm.ore taught
school during the winter months, and in
various other ways helped himself along.
At the age of twenty-three he was ad-
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and
commenced the practice of his profession
in the village of Aurora, situated on the

eastern bank of the Cayuga Lake. In 1825
he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter
of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great
moral worth. In 1825 he took his seat in
the House of Assembly of his native State,
as Representative from Erie County,
whither he had recently moved.

Though he had never taken a very
active part in politics his vote and his S3'm-
pathies were with the Whig part}'. The
State was then Democratic, but his cour-
tesy, ability and integrity won the respect
of his associates. In 1832 he was elected
to a seat in the United States Congress.
At the close of his term he returned to his
law practice, and in two years more he was
again elected to Congress.

He now began to have a national reputa-
tion. His labors were very arduous. To
draft resolutions in the committee room,
and then to defend them against the most
skillful opponents on the floor of the House
requires readiness of mind, mental resources
and skill in debate such as few possess.
Weary with these exhausting labors, and
pressed by the claims of his private affairs,
Mr. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu-
ents and declined to be a candidate for re-
election. Notwithstanding this ccramuni-

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MILLARD FILLMORE.

cation his friends met in convention and
renominated him by acclamation. Though
gratified by this proof of their appreciation
of his labors he adhered to his resolve and
returned to his home.

In 1847 Ml"- Fillmore was elected to the
important ofSce of comptroller of the State.
In entering upon the very responsible duties
which this situation demanded, it was nec-
essary for him to abandon his profession,
and he removed to the city of Albany. In
this year, also, the Whigs were looking
around to find suitable candidates for the
President and Vice-President at the ap-
proaching election, and the names of Zach-
ary Taylor and iMillard Fillmore became
the rallying cry of the Whigs. On the 4th
of March, 1849, General Taylor was inaug-
urated President and Millard Fillmore
Vice-President of the United States.

The great question of slavery had as-
sumed enormous proportions, and perme-
ated every subject that was brought before
Congress. It was evident that the strength
of our institutions was to be severely tried.
July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by
the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore
became President of the United States.
The agitated condition of the country
brought questions of great delicacy before
him. He was bound by his oath of office
to execute the laws of the United States.
One of these laws was understood to be,
that if a slave, escaping from bondage,
should reach a free State, the United States
was bound to do its utmost to capture him
and return him to his master. Most Chris-
tian men loathed this law. President Fill-
more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see
it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies
to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas,
and annex it to the United States. Presi-
dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his
exalted station against the atrocious enter-
prise.

Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to

contend with, since the opposition had a
majority in both Houses. He did every-
thing in his power to conciliate the South,
but the pro-slavery party in that section
felt the inadequency of all measures of tran-
sient conciliation. The population of the
free States was so rapidly increasing over
that of the slave States, that it was inevita-
ble that the power of the Government
should soon pass into the hands of the free
States. The famous compromise measures
were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin-
istration, and the Japan expedition was
sent out.

March 4, 1853, having served one term.
President Fillmore retired from office. He
then took a long tour through the South,
where he met with quite an enthusiastic
reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al-
luding to the rapid growth of the country,
he said:

" Canada is knocking for admission, and
Mexico would be glad to come in, and
without saying whether it would be right
or wrong, we stand with open arms to re-
ceive them; for it is the manifest destiny of
this Government to embrace the whole
North American Continent."

In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe
where he was received with those marked
attentions which his position and character
merited. Returning to this country in
1856 he was nominated for the Presidency
bv the "Know-Nothing" part}'. Mr. Bu-
chanan, the Democratic candidate was
the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore
ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur-
ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly
silent. It was generally supposed, how-
ever, that his sympathy was with the South-
ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the
conflict without any words of cheer to the
one party or the other. For this reason
he was forgotten by both. He died of
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8,
1874.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES.

<^<^5.^-*<^isf-»

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^""^ RAN KLIN PIERCE,
the fourteenth Presi-
^ dent of the United
States, was born in
Hillsborough, New
Hampshire, Novem-
ber 23, 1804. His
father. Governor
Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev-
olutionary soldier, a man of
rigid integrity ; was for sev-
eral years in the State Legis-
lature, a member of the Gov-
ernor's council and a General
of the militia.
Franklin was the sixth of eight children.
As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu-
ments of his father, enforced by strong and
ready utterance and earnest gesture. It
was in the days of intense poHtical excite-
ment, when, all over the New England
States, Federalists and Democrats were ar-
rayed so fiercely against each other.

In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at
Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824,
and commenced the study of law in the
office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin-
guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted
to the bar. He practiced with great success
in Hillsborough and Concord. He served

in the State Legislature four years, the last
two of which he was chosen Speaker of the
House by a very large vote.

In 1833 he was elected a member of Con-
gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United
States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com-
menced his administration.

In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means
Appleton, a lad}- admirably fitted to adorn
every station with which her husband was
honored. Three sons born to them all
found an early grave.

Upon his accession to office. President
Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen-
eral of the United States, but the offer was
declined in consequence of numerous pro-
fessional engagements at home and the
precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health.
About the same time he also declined the
nomination for Governor by the Demo-
cratic party.

The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce
into the army. Receiving the appointment
of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a
portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode
Island, May 27, 1847. He served during
this war, and distinguished himself by his
bravery, skill and excellent 'judgment.
When he reached his home in his native
State he was enthusiastically received by

^;^a/^c!^^

HgggMg»"«"a"«"«iiTi

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

the advocates of the war, and coldly by its
opponents. He resumed the practice of his
profession, frequently taking an active part
in political questions, and giving his sup-
port to the pro-slavery wing of the Demo-
cratic party.

June 12, 1852, the Democratic convention
met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate
for the Presidency. For four days they
continued in session, and in thirty-five bal-
lotings no one had received the requisite
two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been
thrown thus far for General Pierce. Then
the Virginia delegation brought forward
his name. There were fourteen more bal-
lotings, during which General Pierce
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth
ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other
candidates eleven. General Winfield Scott
was the Whig candidate. General Pierce
was elected with great unanimity. Only
four States — Vermont, Massachusetts, Ken-
tucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral
votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was
inaugurated President of the United States,
and William R. King, Vice-President.

President Pierce's cabinet consisted of
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson
Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel-
land, James Campbell and Caleb Cushing.

At the demand of slavery the Missouri
Compromise was repealed, and all the Ter-
ritories of the Union were thrown open to
slavery. The Territor}' of Kansas, west of
Missouri, was settled by emigi^ants mainly
from the North. According to law, they
were about to meet and decide whether
slavery or freedom should be the law of
that realm. Slavery in Missouri and
other Southern States rallied her armed
legions, marched them into Kansas, took
possession of the polls, drove away the
citizens, deposited their own votes by
handfuls, went through the farce of count-
ing them, and then declared that, by an
overwhelming majority, slavery was estab-

lished in Kansas. These facts nobody
denied, and yet President Pierce's adminis-
tration felt bound to respect the decision
obtained by such votes. The citizens of
Kansas, the majority of whom were free-
State men, met in convention and adopted
the following resolve :

"Resolved, That the body of men who,
for the past two months, have been passing
laws for the people of our Territory,
moved, counseled and dictated to by the
demagogues of other States, are to us a
foreign body, representing only the lawless
invaders who elected them, and not the
people of this Territory ; that we repudiate
their action as the monstrous consummation
of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud
unparalleled in the history of the Union."

The free-State people of Kansas also sent
a petition to the General Government, im-
ploring its protection. In reply the Presi-
dent issued a proclamation, declaring that
Legislature thus created must be recog-
nized as the legitimate Legislature of Kan-
sas, and that its laws were binding upon
the people, and that, if necessary, the whole
force of the Governmental arm would be
put forth to inforce those laws.

James Buchanan succeeded him in the
Presidency, and, March 4, 1857, President
Pierce retired to his home in Concord,
New Hampshire. When the Rebellion
burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast
to the principles he had always cherished,
and gave his sympathies to the pro-slavery
part}', with which he had ever been allied.
He declined to do anything, either by
voice or pen, to strengthen the hands ot
the National Government. He resided in
Concord until his death, which occurred in
October, 1869. He was one of the most
genial and social of men, generous to
a fault, and contributed liberally of his
moderate means for the alleviation of suf-
fering and want. He was an honored
communicant of the Episcopal church.

PBESIDE\TS OF THE UXITED STATES.

'AMES BUCHANAN, the
fifteenth President of the
United States, 1857-61,
was born in Franklin
Count }-, Pennsylvania,
April 23, 1791. The
place where his father's
cabin stood was called
Stony Batter, and it. was
situated in a wild, romantic
spot, in a gorge of mount-
ains, with towering sum-
mits rising all around. He
was of Irish ancestry, his
father having emigrated in-
1783, with very little prop-
erty, save his own strong arms.

James remained in his secluded home for
eight years enjoying very few social or
intellectual advantages. His parents were
industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli-
gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer-
cersburg, where James was placed in
school and commenced a course in English,
Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid
and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College
at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution, and was
able to master the most abstruse subjects
with facility. In 1809 he graduated with
the highest honors in his class.

He was then eighteen years of age, tall.

graceful and in vigorous health, fond of
athletic sports, an unerring shot and en-
livened with an exuberant flow of animal
spirits. He immediately commenced the
study of law in the city of Lancaster, and
was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose
very rapidly in his profession and at once
took undisputed stand with the ablest law-
yers of the State. When but twent3--si.\-
years of age, unaided, by counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the State Senate
one of the Judges of the State, who was
tried upon articles of impeachment. At
the age of thirty it was generally admitted
that he stood at the head of the bar, and
there was no lawyer in the State who had
a more extensive or lucrative practice.

In 1812, just after Mr. Buchanan had
entered upon the practice of the law, our
second war with England occurred. With
all his powers he sustained the Govern-
ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros-
ecution of the war; and even enlisting as a
private soldier to assist in repelling the
British, who had sacked Washington and
were threatening Baltimore. He was at
that time a Federalist, but when the Con-
stitution was adopted by both parties,
Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal-
ists; we are all Republicans."

The opposition of the Federalists to the
war with England, and the alien and sedi-

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^AMES BUCHANAN:

tion laws of John Adams, brought the party
into dispute, and the name of Federalist
became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan almost
immediately upon entering Congress began
to incline more and more to the Repub-
licans. In the stormy Presidential election
of 1824, in which Jackson, Clay, Crawford
and John Ouincy Adams were candidates,
JNIr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen-
eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the
administration of Mr. Adams.

Upon his elevation to the Presidency,
General Jackson appointed Mr. Buchanan,
minister to Russia. Upon his return in 1833
he was elected to a seat in the United States
Senate. He there met as his associates,
Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He
advocated the measures proposed by Presi-
dent Jackson" of making reprisals against
France, and defended the course of the Pres-
ident in his unprecedented and wholesale
removals from office of those who were not
the supporters of his administration. Upon
this question he was brought into direct col-
lision with Henry Clay. In the discussion
of the question respecting the admission of
Michigan and Arkansas into the Union, Mr.
Buchanan defined his position by saying:

" The older I grow, the more I am in-
clined to be what is called a State-rights
man."

M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work
upon " Democracy in America," foresaw
the trouble which was inevitable from the
doctrine of State sovereignty as held by
Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con-
vinced that the National Government was
losing that strength which was essential
to its own existence, and that the States
were assuming powers which threatened
the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan
received the book in the Senate and de-
clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be
groundless, and yet he lived to sit in the
Presidential chair and see State after State,
in accordance with his own views of State

rights, breaking from the Union, thus
crumbling our RepubHc into ruins; while
the unhappy old man folded his arms in
despair, declaring that the National Consti-
tution invested him with no power to arrest
the destruction.

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi-
dency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of
State, and as such took his share of the
responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi-
can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad-
ministration, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri-
vate life; but his intelligence, and his great
ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert
a powerful influence in National affairs.

Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with
the mission to England. In the year 1856
the National Democratic convention nomi-
nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency.
The political conflict was one of the most
severe in which our country has ever en-
gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr.
Buchanan was inaugurated President. His
cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb,
J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp-
son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black.

The disruption of the Democratic party,
in consequence of the manner in which the
issue of the nationality of slavery was
pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at
the National convention, held at Charleston
in April, i860, for the nomination of Mr.
Buchanan's successor, when the majority
of Southern delegates withdrew upon the
passage of a resolution declaring that the
constitutional status of slavery should be
determined by the Supreme Court.

In the next Presidential canvass Abra-
ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo-
nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration.
Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington
long enough to see his successor installed
and then retired to his home in Wheatland.
He died June i, 1868, aged seventy-seven
years.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

BRAHAM LIN-
■'i^ COLN, the sixteenth
-r President of the
United States, i86i-'5,
_^ , was born February
J^ir^n^j]^ 12, 1S09, in Larue
^■i^ (then Hardin) County,
Kentuck)', in a cabin on Nolan
Creek, three miles west of
Hudgensville. His parents
\\ ere Thomas and Nancy
(Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an-
cestry and early years the little
that is known may best be
given in his own language : " M}-
parents were both born in Virginia, of un-
distinguished families — second families, per-
haps I should say. M}' mother, who died
in my tenth year, was of a family of the
name of Hanks, some of whom now remain
in Adams, and others in Macon County,
Illinois. My paternal grandfather, Abra-
ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge
County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or
1782, where, a year or two later, he was
killed by Indians — not in battle, but by
stealth, when he was laboring to open a
farm in the forest. His ancestors, who were
Quakers, went to Virginia from Berks
County, Pennsylvania. An effort to iden-

tify them with the New England family of
the same name ended in nothing more defi-
nite than a similarity of Christian names in
both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mor-
decai, Solomon, Abraham and the like.
My father, at the death of his father, was
but six years of age, and he grew up, liter-
ally, without education. He removed from
Kentuck}' to what is now Spencer County,
Indiana, in my eighth year. We reached
our new home about the time the State came
into the Union. It was a wild region, with
bears and other wild animals still in the
woods. There I grew to manhood.

" There were some schools, so called, but
no qualification was ever i-equired of a
teacher beyond ' readin', writin', and cipher-
in' to the rule of three.' If a straggler, sup-
posed to understand Latin, happened to
sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked
upon as a wizard. There was absolutely
nothing to excite ambition for education.
Of course, when I came of age I did not
know much. Still, somehow, I could read,
write and cipher to the rule of three, and
that was all. I have not been to school
since. The little advance I now have upon
this store of education I have picked up
from time to time under the pressure of
necessity. I was raised to farm-work, which

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g/y^6<>-^^ cct^^

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

I continued till I was twenty-two. At
twent3'-one I came to Illinois and passed
the first year in Macon County. Then I got
to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon,
now in Menard County, where I remained
a year as a sort of clerk in a store.

" Then came the Black Hawk war, and I
was elected a Captain of volunteers — a suc-
cess which gave me more pleasure than any
I have had since. I went the campaign,
was elated ; ran for the Legislature the
same year (1832) and was beaten, the only
time I have ever been beaten by the people.
The next and three succeeding biennial
elections I was elected to the Legislature,
and was never a candidate afterward.

" During this legislative period I had
studied law, and removed to Springfield to
practice it. In 1846 I was elected to the
Lower House of Congress ; was not a can-
didate for re-election. From 1849 to 1854,
inclusive, I practiced the law more assid-
uously than ever before. Always a Whig
in politics, and generally on the Whig elec-
toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was
losing interest in politics, when the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise roused me
again. What I have done since is pretty
well known."

The early residence of Lincoln in Indi-
ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohio
River, dn Little Pigeon Creek, one and a
half miles east of Gentryville, within the
present township of Carter. Here his
mother died October 5, 181 8, and the next
year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush)
Johnston, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She
was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom
Abraham was indebted for his first encour-
agement to stud}'. He became an eager
reader, and the few books owned in the
vicinity were many times perused. He
worked frequently for the neighbors as a
farm laborer ; was for some time clerk in a
store at Gentryville ; and became famous
throughout that region for his athletic

powers, his fondness for argument, his in-
exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as
well as for mock oratory and the composi-
tion of rude satirical verses. In 1828 he
made a trading voyage to New Orleans as
" bow-hand " on a flatboat ; removed to
Illinois in 1830; helped his father build a
log house and clear a farm on the north
fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of
Decatur, and was for some time employed
in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which
was prominentl}' brought forward for a
political purpose thirty years later.

In the spring of 185 1 he, with two of his
relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on
the Sangamon River and navigate it to
New Orleans. The boat "stuck" on a
mill-dam, and was got off with great labor
through an ingenious mechanical device
which some years later led to Lincoln's
taking out a patent for "an improved
method for lifting vessels over shoals."
This voyage was memorable for another
reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal-
treated and flogged at New Orleans was
the origin of his deep convictions upon the
slavery question.

Returning from this voyage he became a
resident for several years at New Salem, a
recently settled village on the Sangamon,
where he was successively a clerk, grocer,
surveyor and postmaster, and acted as pilot
to the first steamboat that ascended the
Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter-
ested himself in local politics after his
return from the Black Hawk war, and
became known as an effective " stump-
speaker." The subject of his first political
speech was the improvement of the channel
of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on
which he announced himself (1832) a candi-
date for the Legislature was his advocacy
of this popular measure, on which subject
his practical experience made him the high-
est authority.

Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as a

11^

PRES/DEXTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

" Henry Clay Whig," he rapidly acquired
that command of language and that homely
but forcible rhetoric which, added to his
intimate knowledge of the people from
which he sprang, made him more than a
match in debate for his few well-educated
opponents.

Admitted to the bar in 1837 he soon
established himself at Springfield, where
the State capital was located in 1839,
largely through his influence; became a
successful pleader in the State, Circuit and
District Courts; married in 1842 a lady be-
longing to a prominent family in Lexington,
Kentucky; took an active part in the Pres-
idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as
candidate for elector on the Harrison and
Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected to the
United States House of Representatives
over the celebrated Peter Cartwright.
During his single term in Congress he did
not attain any prominence.

He voted for the reception of anti-slavery
petitions for the abolition of the slave trade
in the District of Columbia and for the
Wilmot proviso; but was chiefly remem-
bered for the stand he took against the
Mexican war. For several years there-
after he took comparatively little interest
in politics, but gained aleading position at
the Springfield bar. Two or three non-
political lectures and an eulog}'^ on Henry
Clay (1852) added nothing to his reputation.

In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act
aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and
in attacking that measure he had the im-
mense advantage of knowing perfectly well
the motives and the record of its author,
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu-
larly designated as the " Little Giant." The
latter came to Springfield in October, 1854,
on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi-
cate his policy in the Senate, and the " Anti-
Nebraska" Whigs, remembering that Lin-
coln had often measured his strength with

Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be-
fore the Springfield Courts, engaged him
to improvise a reply. This speech, in the
opinion of those who heard it, was one of
the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer-
tainly the most effective in his whole career.
It took the audience by storm, and from
that moment it was felt that Douglas had
met his match. Lincoln was accordingly
selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for
the United States Senate in place of General
Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855,
and led to several ballots; but Trumbull
was ultimately chosen.

The second conflict on the soil of Kan-
sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be-
gan. The result was the disruption of the
Whig and the formation of the Republican
party. At the Bloomington State Conven-
tion in 1856, where the new party first
assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an
impressive address, in which for the first
time he took distinctive ground against
slavery in itself.

At the National Republican Convention
at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi-
nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for-
ward by the Illinois delegation for the
Vice-Presidency, and received on the first
ballot no votes against 259 for William L.
Dayton. He took a prominent part in the
canvass, being on the electoral ticket.

In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi-
nated by the Repubhcan State Convention
as its candidate for the United States Senate
in place of Douglas, and in his speech of
acceptance used the celebrated illustration
of a "house divided against itself" on the
slavery question, v.hich was, perhaps, the
cause of his defeat. The great debate car-
ried on at all the principal towns of Illinois
between Lincoln and Douglas as rival Sena-
torial candidates resulted at the time in the
election of the latter ; but being widely cij-
culated as a campaign document, it fixed
the attention of the country upon the

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

former, as the clearest and most convinc-
ing exponent of Republican doctrine.

Early in 1S59 he began to be named in
lUinois as a suitable Republican candidate
for the Presidential campaign of the ensu-
ing year, and a political address delivered
at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru-
ary 27, i860, followed by similar speeches
at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in
New England, first made him known to the
Eastern States in the light by which he had
long been regarded at home. By the Re-
publican State Convention, which met at
Decatur, Illinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln
was unanimously endorsed for the Presi-
dency. It was on this occasion that two
rails, said to have been split by his hands
thirty years before, were brought into the
convention, and the incident contributed
much to his popularity. The National
Republican Convention at Chicago, after
spirited efforts made in favor of Seward,
Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for
the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin
for Vice-President, at the same time adopt-
ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform.

The Democratic party having been dis-
organized and presenting two candidates,
Douglas and Breckenridge, and the rem-
nant of the " American" party having put
forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re-
pubhcan victory was an easy one, Lincoln
being elected November 6 by a large plu-
rality, comprehending nearly all the North-
ern States, but none of the Southern. The
secession of South Carolina and the Gulf
States was the immediate result, followed
a few months later by that of the border
slave States and the outbreak of the great
civil war.

Tlie life of Abraham Lincoln became
thenceforth merged in the history of his
country. None of the details of the vast
conflict which filled the remainder of Lin-
coln's life can here be given. Narrowly
escaping assassination bj' avoiding Balti-

more on his way to the capital, he reached
Washington February 23, and was inaugu-
rated President of the United States March
4, 1861.

In his inaugural address he said: " I hold,
that in contemplation of universal law and
the Constitution the Union of these States is
perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex-
pressed in the fundamental laws of all na-
tional governments. It is safe to assert
that no government proper ever had a pro-
vision in its organic law for its own termi-
nation. I therefore consider that in view
of the Constitution and the laws, the Union
is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability
I shall take care, as the Constitution en-
joins upon me, that the laws of the United
States be extended in all the States. In
doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio-
lence, and there shall be none unless it be
forced upon the national authority. The
power conferred to me will be used to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places
belonging to the Government, and to col-
lect the duties and imports, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects
there will be no invasion, no using of force
against or among the people anywhere. In
your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-country-
men, is the momentous issue of civil war.
The Government will not assail you. You
can have no conflict without being your-
selves the aggressors. You have no oath
registered in heaven to destroy the Gov-
ernment, while I shall have the most sol-
emn one to preserve, protect and defend
it."

He called to his cabinet his principal
rivals for the Presidential nomination —
Seward, Chase, Cameron and Bates; se-
cured the co-operation of the Union Demo-
crats, headed by Douglas; called out 75,000
militia from the several States upon the fust
tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter,
April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the
Southern posts April 19; called an extra

session of Congress for July 4, from which
he asked and obtained 400,000 men and
$400,000,000 for the war; placed McCIellan
at the head of the Federal army on General
Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed
Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan-
uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862,
issued a proclamation declaring the free-
dom of all slaves in the States and parts of
States then in rebellion from and after
January i. 1863. This was the crowning
act of Lincoln's career — the act by which
he will be chiefly known through all future
time — and it decided the war.

Johnson assumed the Presidency, and active
measures were taken which resulted in the .
death of Booth and the execution of his
principal accomplices.

The funeral of President Lincoln was
conducted with unexampled solemnity and *
magnificence. Impressive services were
held in Washington, after which the sad
procession proceeded over the same route
he had traveled four years before, from
Springfield to Washington. In Philadel-
phia his body lay in state in Independence
Hall, in which he had declared before his
first inauguration " that I would sooner be

October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called ; assassinated than to give up the principles
for 300,000 volunteers to replace those ot the Declaration of Independence." He

whose term of enlistment had expired ;
made a celebrated and touching, though
brief, address at the dedication of the
Gettysburg military cemetery, November
19, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant
Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-
Chief of the armies of the United States,
March 9, 1864; was re-elected President in
November of the same year, by a large
majority over General McCIellan, with
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice-
President; delivered a very remarkable ad-
dress at his second inauguration, March 4,
1865; visited the army before Richmond the
Game month; entered the capital of the Con-
federacy the day after its fall, and upon the
surrender of General Robert E. Lee's army,
April 9, was actively engaged in devising
generous plans for the reconstruction of the
Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri-
day, April 14, he was shot in his box at
Ford's Theatre, Washington, byJohnWilkcs
Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired early
on the following morning, April 15. Al-
most simultaneously a murderous attack
was made upon William H. Seward, Secre-
tary of State.

At noon on the 15 th of April Andrew

was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near
Springfield, Illinois, on May 4, where a
monument emblematic of the emancipation
of the slaves and the restoration of the
Union mark his resting place.

The leaders and citizens of the expiring
Confederacy expressed genuine indignation
at the murder of a generous political adver-
sar)'. Foreign nations took part in mourn-
ing the death of a statesman who had proved
himself a true representative of American
nationality. The freedmen of the Soutib
almost worshiped the memorj- of their de-
liverer; and the general sentiment of the
great Nation he had saved awarded him a
place in its affections, second only to that
held by Washington.

The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln
have been familiarly known throughout the
civilized world. His tall, gaunt, ungainly
figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd
mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con-
versations overflowing in humorous and
pointed anecdote, combined with an accu-
rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions
of the time, are recognized as forming the
best type of a period of American history
now rapidly passing away.

» - ■ , ■ J^- - , " J ii _i i _ Jj aa a

'y^K£.,C.^i^-

^^/J^yt^

ANDREW JOHNSON.

P*^

^;s&'-S;S^'->^NDREW JOHNSON,

- ' the seventeenth Presi-
1^ , ^ dent of the United
^^ «" States, 1865-9, '^^'''S

— b o r n at R a 1 c i g h ,
rr^' ^ North Carolina, De-
'-* ^^ c ember 29, 1808.

His father died when
he was four yeais old, and in
his eleventh year he was ap-
pi enticed to a tailor. He nev-
ci attended school, and did
not learn to read until late in
his apprenticeship, when he
W suddenly acquired a passion for
obtaining knowledge, and devoted
all his spare time to reading.

After working two years as a journe}--
man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South
Carolina, he removed, in 1826, to Green-
ville, Tennessee, where he worked at his
trade and married. Under his wife's in-
structions he made rapid progress in his
education, and manifested such an intelli-
gent interest in local politics as to be
elected as " workingmen's candidate ',' al-
derman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being
twice re-elected to each office.

During this period he cultivated his tal-
ents as a public speaker by taking part in a

debating society, consisting largely of stu-
dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and
again in 1839, ^e was chosen to the lower
house of the Legislature, as a Democrat.
In 1 841 he was elected State Senator, and
in 1843, Representative in Congress, being
re-elected four successive periods, until
1853, when he was chosen Governor of
Tennessee. In Congress he supported the
administrations of Tyler and Polk in their
chief measures, especially the annexation
of Texas, the adjustment of the Oregon
boundary, the Mexican war, and the tariff
of 1846.

In 1855 Mr. Johnson was reelected Gov-
ernor, and in 1857 entered the United
States Senate, where he was conspicuous
as an advocate of retrenchment and of the
Homestead bill, and as an opponent of the
Pacific Railroad. He was supported by the
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic
convention in i860 for the Presidential
nomination, and lent his influence to the
Breckenridge wing of that party.

When the election of Lincoln had
brought about the first attempt at secession
in December, i860, Johnson took in the
Senate a firm attitude for the Union, and
in Ma}^, 1861, on returning to Tennessee,
he was in imminent peril of suffering from

lii

popular violence for his loyalty to the " old
fiag." He was the leader of the Loyalists'
convention of East Tennessee, and during
the following winter was very active in or-
ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu-
gees from that region, his own family being
among those compelled to leave.

By his course in this crisis Johnson came
prominently before the Northern public,
and when in iS'Iarch, 1862, he was appointed
by President Lincoln military Governor of
Tennessee, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen-
eral, he increased in popularity by the vig-
orous and successful manner in which he
labored to restore order, protect Union
men and punish marauders. On the ap-
proach of the Presidential campaign of 1864,
the termination of the war being plainly
foreseen, and several Southern States being
partially reconstructed, it was felt that the
Vice-Presidency should be given to a South-
ern man of conspicuous loyalty, and Gov-
ernor Johnson was elected on the same
platform and ticket as President Lincoln;
and on the assassination of the latter suc-
ceeded to the Presidency, April 15, 1865.
In a public speech two days later he said:
" The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a
crime and must be punished; that the Gov-
ernment will not always bear with its ene-
mies; that it is strong, not onl}- to protect,
but to punish. In our peaceful history
treason has been almost unknown. The
people must understand that it is the black-
est of crimes, and will be punished." He
then added the ominous sentence: " In re-
gard to my future course, I make no prom-
ises, no pledges." President Johnson re-
tained the cabinet of Lincoln, and exhibited
considerable severity toward traitors in his
earlier acts and speeches, but he soon inaug-
urated a policy of reconstruction, proclaim-
ing a general amnesty to the late Confeder-
ates, and successively establishing provis-
ional Governments in the Southern States.

These States accordingly claimed represen-
tation in Congress in the following Decem-
ber, and the momentous question of what
should be the policy of the victorious Union
toward its late armed opponents was forced
upon that body.

Two considerations impelled the Repub-
lican majority to reject the pohcy of Presi.
dent Johnson: First, an apprehension that
the chief magistrate intended to undo the re-
sults of the war in regard to slavery; and,sec-
ond, the sullen attitude of the South, which
seemed to be plotting to regain the policy
which arms had lost. The credentials of the
Southern members elect were laid on the
table, a civil rights bill and a bill extending
the sphere of the Freedmen's Bureau were
passed over the executive veto, and the two
highest branches of the Government were
soon in open antagonism. The action of
Congress was characterized by the Presi-
dent as a " new rebellion." In July the
cabinet was reconstructed, Messrs. Randall,
Stanbury and Browning taking the places
of Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan, and
an unsuccessful attempt was made by
means of a general convention in Philadel-
phia to form a new party on the basis of the
administration policy.

In an excursion to Chicago for the pur-
pose of laying a corner-stone of the monu-
ment to Stephen A. Douglas, President
Johnson, accompanied by several members
of the cabinet, passed through Philadelphia,
New York and Alban}', in each of which
cities, and in other places along the route,
he made speeches justifying and explaining
his own policy, and violently denouncing
the action of Congress.

August 12, 1867, President Johnson re-
moved the Secretary of War, replacing
him by General Grant. Secretary Stanton
retired under protest, based upon the ten-
ure-of-office act which had been passed the
preceding March. The President then is-
sued a proclamation declaring the insurrec-

ANDREW JOHNSON.

tion at an end, and that " peace, order, tran-
quility and civil authority existed in and
throughout the United States." Another
proclamation enjoined obedience to the
Constitution and the laws, and an amnesty
was published September 7, relieving nearly
all the participants in the late Rebellion
from the disabilities thereby incurred, on
condition of taking the oath to support the
Constitution and the laws.

In December Congress refused to confirm
the removal of Secretary Stanton, who
thereupon resumed the exercise of his of-
fice; but February 21, 1868, President
Johnson again attempted to remove him,
appointing General Lorenzo Thomas in his
place. Stanton refused to vacate his post,
and was sustained by the Senate.

February 24 the House of Representa-
tives voted to impeach the President for
" high crime and misdemeanors," and March
5 presented eleven articles of impeachment
on the ground of his resistance to the exe-
cution of the acts of Congress, alleging, in
addition to the offense lately committed,
his public expressions of contempt for Con-
gress, in " certain intemperate, inflamma-
tory and scandalous harangues" pronounced
in August and September, 1866, and there-
after declaring that the Thirty-ninth Con-
gress of the United States was not a
competent legislative body, and denying
its power to propose Constitutional amend-
ments. March 23 the impeachment trial
began, the President appearing by counsel,
and resulted in acquittal, the vote lacking

one of the two-thirds vote required for
conviction.

The remainder of President Johnson's,
term of office was passed without any such
conflicts as might have been anticipated.
He failed to obtain a nomination for re-
election by the Democratic party, though
receiving sixty-five votes on the first ballot.
July 4 and December 25 new proclamations
of pardon to the participants in the late
Rebellion were issued, but were of little
effect. On the accession of General Grant
to the Presidency, March 4, 1869, Johnson
returned to Greenville, Tennessee. Unsuc-
cessful in 1870 and 1872 as a candidate re-
spectively for United States Senator and
Representative, he was finally elected to the
Senate in 1875, and took his seat in the extra
session of March, in which his speeches
were comparatively temperate. He died
July 31, 1875, and was buried at Green-
ville.

President Johnson's administration was a
peculiarly unfortunate one. That he should
so soon become involved i« bitter feud with
the Republican majority in Congress was
certainly a surprising and deplorable inci-
dent; yet, in reviewing the circumstances
after a lapse of so many years, it is easy to
find ample room for a charitable judgment
of both the parties in the heated contro-
versy, since it cannot be doubted that any
President, even Lincoln himself, had he
lived, must have sacrificed a large portion
of his popularity in carrying out any pos-
sible scheme of reconstruction.

!ar^

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNI TED STATES.

iii^iiii^iaii«»

'■«^^*:r-i«i^^j*^-^>^^

<M4«»S'i-#»i«S-'#<S*'##i^i^i^

I-^'^^'L^SSES SIMPSON
GRANT, the eight-
eenth President of the
United States, iSeg-';/,
^\ as born April 27, 1822,
at Point Pleasant,
^ Clermont County,
His father was of Scotch

descent, and a dealer in leather.
At the age of seventeen he en-
tered the Military Academy at
West Point, and four years later
graduated twenty -first in a class
of thirty-nine, receiving the
commission of Brevet Second
Lieutenant. He was assigned
to the Fourth Infantry and re-
mained in the army eleven years. He was
engaged in every battle of the Mexican war
except that of Buena Vista, and received
two brevets for gallantry.

In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia,daughter
of Frederick Dent, a prominent merchant of
St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the
grade of Captain, he resigned his commis-
sion in the army. For several years he fol-
lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc-
cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather
trade with his father at Galena, Illinois.

When the civil war broke out in 1861,
Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en-
tirely unknown to pubUc men and without

any personal acquaintance with great affairs.
President Lincoln's first call for troops was
made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th
Grant was drilling a company of volunteers
at Galena. He also offered his services to
the Adjutant-General of the army, but re-
ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois,
however, employed him in the organization
of volunteer troops, and at the end of five
weeks he was appointed Colonel of the
Twenty-first Infantry. He took command
of his regiment in June, and reported first
to General Pope in Missouri. His superior
knowledge of military life rather surprised
his superior officers, who had never before
even heard of him, and they were thus led
to place him on the road to rapid advance-
ment. August 7 he was commissioned a
Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap-
pointment having been made without his
knowledge. He had been unanimously
recommended by the Congressmen from
Illinois, not one of whom had been his
personal acquaintance. For a few weeks
he was occupied in watching the move-
ments of partisan forces in Missouri.

September i he was placed in command
of the District of Southeast Missouri, with
headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with-
out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth
of the Tennessee River, and commanding
the navigation both of that stream and of

g^ig^PS» ~a^a' ■« ■ — ■ - ■ '■■ ''

C/LrSSES S. GRANT.

the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky
to the Union ; for the State Legislature,
which had until then affected to be neutral,
at once declared in favor of the Govern-
ment. In November following, according
to orders, he made a demonstration about
eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the
crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ;
but in order to accomplish this purpose he
had to do some fighting, and that, too, with
only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con-
federates. Grant carried off two pieces of
artiller}^ and 200 prisoners.

After repeated applications to General
Halleck, his immediate superior, he was
allowed, in February, 1S62, to move up the
Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in
conjunction with a naval force. The gun-
boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi-
ately made preparations to attack Fort
Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on
the Cumberland River. Without waiting
for orders he moved his troops there, and
with 15,000 men began the siege. The
fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a
strong one, but after hard fighting on three
successive days Grant forced an " Uncon-
ditional Surrender" (an alliteration upon
the initials of his name). The prize he capt-
ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600
small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,-
000 of the garrison had escaped in the night,
and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's
entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the
first important success won by the national
troops during the war, and its strategic re-
sults were marked, as the entire States of
Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the
National hands. Our hero was made a
Major-General of Volunteers and placed in
command of the District of West Ten-
nessee.

In March, 1862, he was ordered to move
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth,
where the Confederates were concentrat-
ing a large army ; but he was directed not

to attack. His forces, now numbering 38,-
000, were accordingly encamped near Shi-
loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the
arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more;
but April 6 the Confederates came out from
Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant
violently, hoping to overwhelm him before
Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were
beyond supporting distance, so that he was
largely outnumbered and forced back to the
river, where, however, he held out until
dark, when the head of Buell's column
came upon the field. The next day the
Confederates were driven back to Corinth,
nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on
both sides ; Grant, being senior in rank to
Buell, commanded on both days. Two
days afterward Halleck arrived at the front
and assumed command of the army, Grant
remaining at the head of the right wing and
the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was
evacuated by the Confederates. In July
Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and
Grant succeeded him in command of the
Department of the Tennessee. September
19 the battle of luka was fought, where,
owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom-
plete victory was obtained.

Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved
down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks-
burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was
sent by way of the river to attack that place
in front; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's
surrendering Holly Springs to the Con-
federates, Grant was so weakened that he
had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman
failed to sustain his intended attack.

In January, 1863, General Grant took
command in person of all the troops in the
Mississippi Valley, and spent several months
in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender
or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4,
following, the place surrendered, with 31,-
600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi
River thus fell permanently into the hands
of the Government. Grant was made a

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

Major-General in the regular army, and in
October following he was placed in com-
mand of the Division of the Mississippi.
The same month he went to Chattanooga
and saved the Army of the Cumberland
from starvation, and drove Bragg from that
part of the country. This victory over-
threw the last important hostile force west
of the AUeghanies and opened the way for
the National armies into Georgia and Sher-
man's march to the sea.

The remarkable series of successes which
Grant had now achieved pointed him out
as the appropriate leader of the National
armies, and accordingly, in February, 1864,
the rank of Lieutenant-General was created
for him by Congress, and on March 17 he
assumed command of the armies of the
United States. Planning the grand final
campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia,
Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler
to capture Richmond, while he fought his
own way from the Rapidan to the James.
The costly but victorious battles of the
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and
Cold Harbor were fought, more for the
purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture
any particular point. In June, 1864, the
siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman,
meanwhile, was marching and fighting daily
in Georgia and steadily advancing toward
Atlanta ; but Sigel had been defeated in the
valley of Virginia, and, was superseded by
Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na-
tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered
up a force which he placed under Sheridan,
and that commander rapidly drove Early,
inasuccessionof battles, through the valley
of Virginia and destroyed his army as an
organized force. The siege of Richmond
went on, and Grant made numerous attacks,
but was only partially successful. The
people of the North grew impatient, and
even the Government advised him to
abandon the attempt to take Richmond or
crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he

never wavered. He resolved to " fight it
out on that line, if it took all summer."

By September Sherman had made his
way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him
on his famous " march to the sea," a route
which the chief had designed six months
before. He made Sherman's success possi-
ble, not only by holding Lee in front of
Richmond, but also by sending reinforce-
ments to Thomas, who then drew off and
defeated the only army which could have
confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was
left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri-
dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's
plans. Each executed his part in the great
design and contributed his share to the re-
sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman
finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat
the enemy at Franklin, Thomas at Nash-
ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him ;
and all this while General Grant was hold-
ing Lee, with the principal Confederate
army, near Richmond, as it were chained
and helpless. Then Schofield was brought
from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil-
mington were captured on the sea-coast, so
as to afford him a foothold ; from here he
was sent into the interior of North Caro-
lina, and Sherman was ordered to move
northward to join him. When all this was
effected, and Sheridan could find no one else
to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant
brought the cavalry leader to the front of
Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove
Lee from his entrenchments and captured
Richmond.

At the beginning of the final campaign
Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in
the lines at Richmond, besides the local
militia and the gunboat crews, amounting
to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force
Grant had 1 10,000 men in the works before
Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell
on the 2d of April, and Richmond on the
3d, and Lee fled in the direction of L3Mich-
burg. Grant pursued with remorseless

CTLISSES S. GRANT.

energy, only stopping to strike fresh blows,
and Lee at last found himself not only out-
fought but also out-marched and out-gen-
eraled. Being completely surrounded, he
surrendered on the 9th of April, 1865, at
Appomattox Court-House, in the open field,
with 27,000 men, all that remained of his
army. This act virtuall}' ended the war.
Thus, in ten days Grant had captured
Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his
subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and
Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller
ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle,
and received the surrender of 27,000 more
at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an
army of 70,000 soldiers.

General Grant returned at once to Wash-
ington to superintend the disbandment of
the armies, but this pleasurable work was
scarcely begun when President Lincoln was
assassinated. It had doubtless been in-
tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ;
but he, fortunately, on account of leaving
Washington early in the evening, declined
an invitation to accompany the President
to the theater where the murder was com-
mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson
President, but left Grant by far the most
conspicuous figure in the public life of the
country. He became the object of an en-
thusiasm greater than had ever been known
in America. Every possible honor was
heaped upon him ; the grade of General
was created for him by Congress; houses
were presented to him by citizens ; towns
were illuminated on his entrance into them ;
and, to cap the climax, when he made his
tour around the world, "all nations did him
honor" as they had never before honored
a foreigner.

The General, as Commander-in-Chief,
was placed in an embarrassing position by
the opposition of President Johnson to the
measures of Congress ; but he directly man-
ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying
Congress rather than the disaffected Presi-

dent, although for a short time he had
served in his cabinet as Secretary of War.

Of course, everybody thought of General
Grant as the next President of the United
States, and he was accordingly elected as
such in 1868 "by a large majority," and
four years later re-elected by a much larger
majority — the most overwhelming ever
given by the people of this country. His first
administration was distinguished by a ces-
sation of the strifes which sprang from the
war, by a large reduction of the National
debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties
with England which had grown out of the
depredations committed by privateers fit-
ted out in England during the war. This
last settlement was made by the famous
"Geneva arbitration," which saved to this
Government $1 5,000,000, but, more than all,
prevented a war with England. " Let us
have peace," was Grant's motto. And this
is the most appropriate place to remark
that above all Presidents whom this Gov-
ernment has ever had, General Grant was
the most non-partisan. He regarded the
Executive office as purely and exclusively
executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect-
ive of " politics." But every great man
has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant
was well aware of.

After the close of his Presidency, our
General made his famous tour around the
world, already referred to, and soon after-
ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward,
of New York City, he engaged in banking
and stock brokerage, which business was
made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him-
self, by his rascality. By this time an in-
curable cancer of the tongue developed
itself in the person of the afflicted ex-
President, which ended his unrequited life
July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from
earth's turmoils the man, the General, who
was as truly the " father of this regenerated
country" as was Washington the father of
the infant nation.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

UTHERFORD BIRCH-
ARD HAYES, the nine-
teenth President of
the United States,
i877-'8i, was born in
Delaware, Ohio, Oc-
tober 4, 1822. His
anccstiy can be traced as far
back as 1280, when Hayes and
Rutherford were two Scottish
chieftains fighting side by side
with Baliol, William Wallace
and Robert Bruce. Both fami-
lies belonged to the nobility,
owned extensive estates and had
a large following. The Hayes
family had, for a coat of-arms, a
shield, barred and surmounted by a flying
eagle. There was a circle of stars about
the eagle and above the shield, while on a
scroll underneath the shield was inscribed
the motto, " Recte." Misfortune overtaking
the family, George Hayes left Scotland in
1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut.
He was an industrious worker in wood and
iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul-
tivated mind. His son George was born
in Windsor and remained there during his
life.

Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married
Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsbury, Con-

necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born
in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes
at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford
Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of
President Hayes, was born in New Haven,
in August, 1756. He was a famous black-
smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in
Brattleboro where he established a hotel.
Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi-
dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813,
he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming-
ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male
side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch-
ard, one of the principal founders of Nor-
wich. Both of her grandfathers were
soldiers in the Revolutionary war.

The father of President Hayes was of a
mechanical turn, and could mend a plow,
knit a stocking, or do almost anything that
he might undertake. He was prosperous
in business, a member of the church and
active in all the benevolent enterprises of
the town. After the close of the war of 1812
he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a
farm near the present town of Delaware.
His family then consisted of his wife and
two children, and an orphan girl whom he
had adopted.

It was in 1817 that the family arrived at
Delaware. Instead of settling upon his

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.

loS

farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into
business in the village. He purchased an
interest in a distillery, a business then as re-
spectable as it was profitable. His capital
and recognized ability assured him the
highest social position in the communitj-.
He died July 22, 1822, less than three
months before the birth of the son that was
<l<-stined to fill the office of President of the
United States.

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak,
and the subject of this sketch was so feeble
at birth that he was not expected to live
beyond a month' or two at most. As the
months went by he grew weaker and weaker
so that the neighbors were in the habit of
inquiring from time to time " if Mrs.
Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc-
casion a neighbor, who was on friendly
terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head and the mother's assiduous
care of him, said to her, in a bantering way,
"That's right! Stick to him. You have
got him along so far, and I shouldn't won-
der if he would really come to something
yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs.
Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell
but I shall make him President of the
United States yet."

The boy lived, in spite of the universal
predictions of his speedy death; and when,
in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he
became, if possible, still dearer to his mother.
He was seven years old before he was
placed in school. His education, however,
was not neglected. His sports were almost
wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circum-
stances tended, no doubt, to foster that
gentleness of disposition and that delicate
consideration for the feelings of others
which are marked traits of his character.
At school he was ardently devoted to his
studies, obedient to the teacher, and care-
ful to avoid the quarrels in which man)^ of
his schoolmates were involved. He was

always waiting at the school-house door
when it opened in the morning, and never
late in returning to his seat at recess. His
sister Fannie was his constant companion,
and their affection for each other excited
the admiration of their friends.

In 1838 young Hayes entered Kenyon
College and graduated in 1842. He' then
began the study of law in the office of
Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health
was now well established, his figure robust,
his mind vigorous and alert. In a short
time he determined to enter the law school
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for
two years he pursued his studies with great
diligence.

In 184s he was admitted to the bar at
Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went
into piactice as an attorney-at-law with
Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he
remained three years, acquiring but limited
practice, and apparently unambitious of
distinction in his profession. His bachelor
uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always
manifested great interest in his nephew and
rendered him assistance in boyhood, was
now a wealth)^ banker, and it was under-
stood that the young man would be his
heir. It is possible that this expectation
may have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent
to the attainment of wealth than he would
otherwise have been, but he was led into no
extravagance or vices on this account.

In 1849 he removed to Cincinnati where
his ambition found new stimulus. Two
events occurring at this period had a pow-
erful influence upon his subsequent life.
One of them was his marriage to Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James
Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his
introduction to the Cincinnati Literary
Club, a body embracing such men as Chief
Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John
Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes.
The marriage was a fortunate one as every-
body knows. Not one of all the wives of

PRESIDENTS OF THE VS'ITED STATES.

our Presidents -.vas more universally ad-
mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs.
Hayes, and no one has done more than she
to reflect honor upon American woman-
hood.

In 1856 Mr. Hayes was nominated to the
office of Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, but declined to accept the nomina-
tion. Two years later he was chosen to the
office of City Solicitor.

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out,
he was eager to take up arms in the defense
of his country. His military life was
bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he
was appointed Major of the Twenty-third
Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was
sent to Virginia. October 15, 1 861, he was
made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment,
and in August, 1862, was promoted Colonel
of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but
refused to leave his old comrades. He was
wounded at the battle of South Mountain,
and suffered severely, being unable to enter
upon active duty for several weeks. No-
vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as
its Colonel, having been promoted Octo-
ber 15.

December 25, 1862, he was placed in com-
mand of the Kanawha division, and for
meritorious service in several battles was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also
brevetted Major-General for distinguished

services in 1864. He was wounded four
times, and five horses were shot from
under him.

Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics,
and was among the first to unite with the
Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864
he was elected to Congress from che Sec-
ond Ohio District, which had always been
Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098.
In 1866 he was renominated for Congress
and was a second time elected. In 1867 he
was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur-
man, the Democratic candidate, and re-
elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard
died, leaving his large estate to General
Hayes.

In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi-
dency. His letter of acceptance excited
the admiration of the whole country. He
resigned the office of Governor and retired
to his home in Fremont to await the result
of the canvass. After a hard, long contest
he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His
Presidency was characterized by compro-
mises with all parties, in order to please as
man}' as possible. The close of his Presi-
dential term in 1881 was the close of his
public life, and since then he has remained
at his iiome in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso-
nian retirement from public notice, in stink-
ing contrast with most others of the world's
notables.

-\:

yAA/ES A. GARFIELD.

\^^

sis:^3^^^535^5ELij^i^ic-£.i^3A^.ri33n.^i^r^^s^r^i^

vrvrv^b^^i

AMES A. GARFIELD,
twentieth President of
the United States, 1881,
was born November 19,
1 83 1, in the wild woods
o f Cuyahoga County,
Ohio. His parents were
Abram and EUza (Ballou)
Garfield, who were of New
• England ancestry. The
senior Garfield was an in-
dustrious farmer, as the
rapid improvements which
appeared on his place at-
tested. The residence was
the familiar pioneer log cabin,
and the household comprised the parents
and their children — Mehetable, Thomas,
Mary and James A. In May, 1833, the
father died, and the care of the house-
hold consequently devolved upon young
Thomas, to whom James was greatly in-
debted for the educational and other ad-
vantages he enjo3-ed. He now lives in
Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon,
Ohio, near their birthplace.

As the subject of our sketch grew up, he,
too, was industrious, both in mental aad
physical labor. He worked upon the farm,
or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at
any other odd job that would aid in support
of the family, and in the meantime made the

most of his books. Ever afterward he was
never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for-
got the friends of his youth. The poorest
laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he
always exhibited the character of a modest
gentleman.

Until he was about sixteen years of age,
James's highest ambition was to be a lake
captain. To this his mother was strongly
opposed, but she finally consented to his
going to Cleveland to carry out his long-
cherished design, with the understanding,
however, that he should Vxy to obtain some
other kind of employment. He walked all
the way to Cleveland, and this was his first
visit to the city. After making many ap-
plications for v/ork, including labor on
board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he
finally engaged as a driver for his cousin,
Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl-
vania Canal. In a short time, however, he
quit this and returned home. He then at-
tended the seminary at Chester for about
three years, and next he entered Hiram In-
stitute, a school started in 1850 by the
Disciples of Christ, of which church he was
a member. In order to pa}' his way he
assumed the duties of janitor, and at tunes
taught school. He soon completed Ihe cur-
riculum there, and then entered Williams
College, at which he graduated in 1856,
taking one of the highest honors of his class.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES.

Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi-
dent. In his youthful and therefore zealous
piety, he exercised his talents occasionally
as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a
man of strong moral and religious convic-
tions, and as soon as he began to look into
politics, he saw innumerable points that
could be improved. He also studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1859.
November 11, 1858, iNIr. Garfield married
Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever after-
ward proved a worthy consort in all the
stages of her husband's career. They had
seven children, five of whom are still living.

It was in 1859 that Garfield made his
first political speeches, in Hiram and the
neighboring villages, and three years later
he began to speak at county mass-meetings,
being received everywhere with popular
favor. He was elected to the State Senate
this year, taking his seat in January, i860.

On the breaking out of the war of the
Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to
fight as he had talked, and accordingly he
enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving
his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of tlie
Forty-second Regiment of the Ohio Volun-
teer Infantr}', August 14, that year, rle
was immediately thrown into active service,
and before he had ever seen a gun fired in
action he was placed in command of four
regiments of infantry and eight companies
of cavalry, charged with the work of driv-
ing the Confederates, headed by Humphrey
Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky.
This task was speedily accomplished, al-
though against great odds. On account of
his success, F'resident Lincoln commissioned
him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862;
and, as he had been the youngest man in
the Ohio Senate two years before, so now
he was the youngest General in the army.
He was witii General Buell's army at Shi-
loh, also in its operations around Corinth
and its march through Alabama. Next, he
was detailed as a member of the general

court-martial for the trial of General Fitz-
John Porter, and then ordered to report to
General Rosecrans, when he was assigned
to the position of Chief of Staff. His mili-
tary history closed with his brilliant ser-
vices at Chickamauga, where he won the
stars of Major-General.

In the fall of 1862, without any effort on
his part, he was elected as a Representative
to Congress, from that section of Ohio
which had been represented for sixty years
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and
Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the
youngest member of that bod}', and con-
tinued there by successive re-elections, as
Representative or Senator, until he was
elected President in 1880. During his life
in Congress he compiled and published by
his speeches, there and elsewhere, more
information on the issues of the day, espe-
cially on one side, than any other member.

June 8, 18S0, at the National Republican
Convention held in Chicago, General Gar-
field was nominated for the Presidencj", in
preference to the old war-horses, Blaine
and Grant ; and although many of the Re-
publican party felt sore over the failure of
their respective heroes to obtain the nomi-
nation, General Garfield was elected by a
fair popular majority. He was duly in-
augurated, but on July 2 following, before
he had fairly got started in his administra-
tion, he was fatally shot by a half-demented
assassin. After very painful and protracted
suffering, he died September 19, 1881, la-
mented by all the American people. Never
before in the history of this countrj- had
anything occurred which so nearly froze
the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as
the awful act of Guiteau, the murderer.
He was duly tried, convicted and put to
death on the gallows.

The lamented Garfield was succeeded by
the Vice-President, General Arthur, who
seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy
inaugurated by his predecessor.

^L-Ly\

CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

ESTER ALLEN
ARTHUR, the twcn-
hist Chief Execu-
tne of this growing
icpublic, i88i-'5, was
bom in Franklin
C o u n 1 3' , Vermont,
Octobei 5 1830, the eldest of a
famih of two sons and five
daiiThtei';. His father, Rev.
Di Willi im Arthur, a Baptist
clergyman, immigrated to this
country from County Antrim,
Ireland, in his eighteenth year,
and died in 1875, in Newton-
ville, near Albany, New York,
after serving many years as a successful
minister. Chester A. was educated at that
old, conservative institution. Union Col-
lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he
excelled in all his studies. He graduated
there, with honor, and then struck out in
life for himself by teaching school for about
two years in his native State.

At the expiration of that time young
Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the
city of New York and entered the law office
of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In
due time he was admitted to the bar, when
he formed a partnership with his intimate

friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar.
diner, with the intention of practicing law
at some point in the West ; but after spend-
ing about three months in the Western-
States, in search of an eligible place, they
returned to New York City, leased a room,
exhibited a sign of their business and al-
most immediately enjoyed a paying patron-
age.

At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's
business prospects were so encouraging
that he concluded to take a wife, and ac-
cordingly he married the daughter of Lieu-
tenant Herndon, of the United States Navy,
who had been lost at sea. To the widow
of the latter Congress voted a gold medal,
in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery
during the occasion in which he lost his
life. Mrs. Artnur died shortly before her
husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi-
dency, leaving two children.

Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb-
rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon
suit, which was brought to recover posses-
sion of eight slaves, who had been declared
free by the Superior Court of New York
Cit}'. The noted Charles O'Conor, who
was nominated by the " Straight Demo-
crats" in 1872 for the L^nited States Presi-
dency, was retained b\- Jonathan G. Lcm-

114

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

mon, of Virginia, to recover the negroes,
but he lost the suit. In this case, however,
Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M.
Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon
afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored
woman was ejected from a street car in
New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car
company in her behalf and recovered $500
damages. Immediately afterward all the
car companies in the city issued orders to
their employes to admit colored persons
upon their cars.

Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well
as his practice as a law3'er, raised him to
prominence in the party of freedom ; and
accordingly he was sent as a delegate to
the first National Republican Convention.
Soon afterward he was appointed Judge
Advocate for the Second Brigade of the
State of New York, and then Engineer-in-
Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861,
the first year of the war, he was made In-
spector-General, and next, Quartermaster-
(xeneral, in both which offices he rendered
great service to the Government. After
the close of Governor Morgan's term he
resumed the practice of law, forming first a
partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse-
quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm.
Each of these gentlemen were able law3'ers.

November 21, 1872, General Arthur was
appointed Collector of the Port of New
York by President Grant, and he held the
office until July 20, 1878.

The next event of prominence in General
Arthur's career was his nomination to the
Vice-Presidency of the United States, under
the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the
National Republican Convention held at
Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar-
field was placed at the head of the ticket.
Both the convention and the campaign that
followed were noisy and exciting. The
friends of Grant, constituting nearly half

the convention, were exceedingly persist-
ent, and were sorely disappomted over
their defeat. At the head of the Demo-
cratic ticket was placed a very strong and
popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were
elected by a respectable plurality of the
popular vote. The 4th of March following,
these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu-
rated ; but within four months the assassin's
bullet made a fatal wound in the person of
General Garfield, whose life terminated
September 19, 1881, when General Arthur,
ex officio, was obliged io take the chief
reins of government. Some misgivings
were entertained by many in this event, as
Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe
cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the
Republican party ; but President Arthur
had both the ability and the good sense to
allay all fears, and he gave the restless,
critical American people as good an ad-
ministration as they had ever been blessed
with. Neither selfishness nor low parti-
sanism ever characterized any feature of
his public service. He ever maintained a
high sense of every individual right as well
as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood
so high that his successor, President Cleve-
land, though of opposing politics, expressed
a wish in his inaugural address that he
could only satisfy the people with as good
an administration.

But the day of civil service reform had
come in so far, and the corresponding re-
action against " third-termism" had en-
croached so far even upon "second-term"
service, that the Republican party saw fit
in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi-
dent. Only by this means was General
Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash-
ington. On his retirement from the Presi-
dency, March, 1885, lie engaged in the
practice of law at New York City, where he
died November 18, 1886.

^^ ^.^^ <r>i^^^--f

alio VER CI. E VEL A ND.

^S^

i'^>

ROVER CLEVE-
LAND, the twenty-
second President of the
I'liited States, 1885—,
was born in Caldwell,
Essex County, New
Jersey, March 18,
The house in which he
was boin, a small two-story
•^$jfX^- ■ wooden building, is still stand-
^^Se^^^-^ ^"rt- ^^ ^^'-^s the parsonage of
the Presbyterian church, of
which his lather, Richard
Cleveland, at the time was
pastor. The family is of New
England origin, and for two centuries has
contributed to the professions and to busi-
ness, men who have reflected honor on the
name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve-
land's great-great-grandfather, was born in
Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to
Philadelphia, where he became an intimate
friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose
house he died. He left a large family of
children, who in time married and settled
in different parts of New England. A
grandson was one of the small American
force that fought the British at Bunker
Hill. He served with gallantry through-
out the Revolution and was honorably
discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in
the Continental army. Another grandson,
William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron

Cleveland, who was distinguished as a
writer and member of the Connecticut
Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand-
father. William Cleveland became a silver-
smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac-
quired by industry some property and sent
his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of
Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where
he graduated in 1824. During a year spent
in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after
graduation, he met and fell in love with a
Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy
Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth.
He was earning his own way in the world
at the time and was unable to marry; but
in three years he completed a course of
preparation for the ministry, secured a
church in Windham, Connecticut, and
married Annie Neale. Subsequently he
moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he
preached for nearly two years, when he
was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey,
where was born Grover Cleveland.

When he was three years old the family
moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County,
New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived
until he was fourteen years old, the rugged,
healthful life of a countr}' bo}-. His frank,
generous manner made him a favorite
among his companions, and their respect
was won by the good qualities in the germ
which his manhood developed. He at-
tended the district school of the village and

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

was for a short time at the academy. His
lather, however, belie%'ed that boys should
be taught to labor at an early age, and be-
fore he had completed the course of study
at the academy he began to work in the
village store at $50 for the first year, and the
promise of $100 for the second year. His
work was well done and the promised in-
crease of pay was granted the second year.

Meanwhile his father and family had
moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton
College, where his father acted as agent to
the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions,
preaching in the churches of the vicinit}'.
Hither Grover came at his father's request
shortly after the beginning of his second
year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed
his studies at the Clinton Academy. After
three years spent in this town, the Rev.
Richard Cleveland was called to the vil-
lage church of Holland Patent. He had
jireached here only a month when he was
suddenly stricken down and died without
an hour's warning. The death of the father
left the family in straitened circumstances,
as Richard Cleveland had spent all his
salary of %\,ooo per year, which was not
required for the necessary expenses of liv-
ing, upon the education of his children, of
whom there were nine, Grover being the
fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil-
ton College, but the death of his father
made it necessary for him to earn his own
livelihood. For the first year (1853-4) ^e
acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in
the Institution for the Blind in New York
City, of which the late Augustus Schell was
for many years the patron. In the winter
of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent
where the generous people of that place,
Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a
home for his mother, and in the following
spring, borrowing S-'5, he set out for the
West to earn his living.

Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to
an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known

stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few
miles distant. He communicated his plans
to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of
the West, and finally induced the enthusi-
astic boy of seventeen to remain with him
and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded
short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer-
ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to
all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he
entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen
ct Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a
few months without pay, was paid $4 a
week — an amount barely sufficient to meet
the necessary expenses of his board in the
family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with
whom he took lodgings. Life at this time
with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle
with the world. He took his breakfast by
candle-light with the drovers, and went at
once to the office where the whole day was
spent in work and study. Usually he re-
turned again at night to resume reading
which had been interrupted by the duties
of the day. Gradually his employers came
to recognize the ability, trustworthiness
and capacity for hard work in their yoimg
employe, and by the time he was admitted
to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con-
fidence. A year later he was made confi-
dential and managing clerk, and in the
course of three 3'ears more his salary had
been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap-
pointed assistant district attorney of Erie
Count}' by the district attorney, the Hon.
C. C. Torrance.

Since his first vote had been cast in 1858
he had been a staunch Democrat, and until
he was chosen Governor he always made
it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the
polls and give out ballots to Democratic
voters. During the first year of his term
as assistant district attorne}', the Democrats
desired especially to carry the Board of Su-
pervisors. The old Second Ward in which
he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250
majority, but at the urgent request of the

!-< jI^SMSSSSi

GRO VEli CL E VELA ND.

party Grover Cleveland consented to be
the Democratic candidate for Supervisor,
and came within thirteen votes of an elec-
tion. The three years spent in the district
attorney's office were devoted to assiduous
labor and the extension of his professional
attainments. He then formed a law part-
nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel,
ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name
of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk
of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul-
ders, and he soon won a good standing at
the bar of Erie County. In i86g Mr.
Cleveland formed a partnership with ex-
Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant
United States District Attorney Oscar Fol-
som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve-
land & Folsom. During these years he
began to earn a moderate professional in-
come; but the larger portion of it was sent
to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent
to whose support he had contributed ever
since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie
County, i87o-'4, and then resumed the
practice of law, associating himself with the
Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell.

The firm was strong and popular, and soon
commanded a large and lucrative practice.
Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass
in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland &
Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was
added to the firm.

In the autumn election of 1881 he was
elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of
over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given
a candidate for mayor — and the Democratic
city ticket was successful, although the
Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000
majority for their State ticket. Grover
Cleveland's administration as mayor fully
justified the confidence reposed in him b}'
the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the
great vote he received.

The Democratic State Convention me(
at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi-
nated Grover Cleveland for Governor
on the third ballot and Cleveland was
elected by 192,000 majoritv. In the fall of
1884 he was elected President of the United
States by about 1,000 popular majority,
in New York State, and he was accordingly
inaugurated the 4th of March following.

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

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PREHISTORIC RACES.

CIENTISTS have as-
cribed to the Mound
Builders varied origins,
and though their diver-
gence of opinion may for
a time seem incompati-
ble with a thorough in-
^Cotigation of the subject, and
tend to a confusion of ideas, no
doubt wliatever can exist as to
the comparative accuracy of
conclusions arrived at by some
of them. That this continent is
co-existent with the world of
the ancients cannot be ques-
tioned; the results of all scien-
tific investigations, down to the present time,
combine to establish the fact of the co-exist-
ence of the two continents. Historians and
learned men differ as to the origin of the first
inhabitants of the New World; the general
conclusions arrived at are, that the ancients
came from the east by way of Behring's
Strait, subsequent to the confusion of tongues
and dispersion of the inhabitants at the time
of the construction of the Tower of Babel,
1757 A. M. The ancient mounds and earth-
works scattered over the entire continent tend

to confirm the theory that the Mound Build-
ers were people who had been engaged in
raising elevations prior to their advent upon
this continent. They possessed religious
orders corresponding, in external show, at
least, with the Essenes or Theraputse of the
pre-Christian and Christian epochs, and to
the reformed Therapntte, or monks, of the
present.

Every memento of their coming and their
stay which has descended to us is an evidence
of their civilized condition.

The free copper found within the tumuli,
the open veins of the Superior and Iron
Mountain copper mines, with all the imple-
ments of ancient mining, such as ladders,
levers, chisels and hammer-heads, discovered
by the explorers of the Northwest and the
Mississippi, are conclusive proofs that these
prehistoric people were highly civilized, and
that many flourishing colonies were spread
throughout the Mississippi Valley.

Within the last few years great advances
have been made toward the discovery of an-
tiquities, whether pertaining to remains of
organic or inorganic nature. Together with
many small but telling relics of the early
inhabitants of the country, the fossils of pre-

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

historic animals have been uneartlied from
end to end of this continent, many of which
are remains of enormous animals long since
extinct. Many writers who have devoted
their lives to the investigation of the origin
of the ancient inhabitants of this continent,
and from whence they came, have fixed a
period of a second immigration a few centu-
ries prior to the Christian era, and, imlike
the first expeditions, to have traversed North-
eastern Asia to its Arctic confines, then east
to Behring's Strait, thus reaching the New
World by the same route as the first immi-
grants, and, after many years' residence in the
North, pushed southward and commingled
with and soon acquired the characteristics of
the descendants of the first colonists.

The Esquimaux of North America, the
Sanioieds of Asia and the Laplanders of Eu-
rope are supposed to be of the same family;
and this supposition is strengthened by the
affinity which exists in their languages. The
researches of Humboldt have traced the Mex-
icans to the vicinity of Behring's Strait;
whence it is conjectured that they, as well as
the Peruvians and other tribes, came origi-
nally from Asia.

Since this theory is accepted by most anti-
quarians, there is every i-eason to believe that
from the discovery of what jnay be termed
an overland route to what was then consid-
ered an eastern extension of that country,
that the immigration increased annually until
the new continent became densely populated.
The ruins of ancient cities discovered in Mex-
ico and South America prove that this conti-
nent v>'as densely populated by a civilized peo-
ple prior to the Indian or the Caucasian races.

The valley of the Mississippi, and indeed
the country from the trap rocks of the Great
Lakes southeast to the Gulf and southwest
to Mexico, abound in monumental evidences
of a race of people much further advanced

in civilization than the Montezumas of the
sixteenth century.

The remains of walls and fortifications
found in Ohio and Indiana, the earth-works
of Yincennes and throughout the valley of
the Wabash, the mounds scattered over the
several Southern States, also in Illinois, Min-
nesota and Wisconsin, are evidences of t!ie
advancement of the people of that day toward
a comparative knowledge of man and cosmol- .
ogy. At the mouth of Fourteen-mile Creek,
in Clark County, Indiana, there stands one of
these old monuments, known as the " Stone
Fort." It is an unmistakable heir-loom of a
great and ancient people, and must have
formed one of their most important posts.

In Posey County, on the Wabash, ten miles
from its junction with the Ohio River, is
another remarkable evidence of the great
numbers once inhabiting that country. This
is known as the " Bone Bank," on account of
the human bones continually washed out from
the river bank. This process of unearthing
the ancient remains has been going on since
the remembrance of the earliest white settler,
and various relics of artistic wares are found
in that portion of Indiana. Another great
circular earth- work is found near New Wash-
ington, and a stone fort near the village of
Deputy.

Yigo, Jasper, Sullivan, Switzerland and
Ohio counties can boast of a liberal endow-
ment of works of antiquity, and the entire
State of Indiana abounds with numerous rel-
ics of the handiwork of the extinct race.
Many of the ancient and curiously devised
implements and wares are to be seen in the
State Museum at Indianapolis.

The origin of the red men, or American
Indians, is a subject which interests all read-
ers. It is a favorite with the ethnologist,
even as it is one of deep concern to the ordi-
nary reader.

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

Tho difference of opinion concerning our
aboriginals, among aiitliors M'ho Lave made a
profound study of races, is both curious and
interesting.

Blunienbach treats tiiein as a distinct vari-
ety of the human family. Dr. Latham ranks
them among the Mongolidfe. Morton, Nott
and Glidden claim for the red men a distinct
origin.

Dr. Robert Brown, our latest authority,
gives them as of Asiatic origin, which is cer-
tainly well sustained by all evidence which
has thus far been discovered bearing upon the
question.

Differences arising among communities
produced dissensions, which tended to form
factions and tribes, which culminated in wars
and gradual descent from a state of civiliza-
tion to that of barbarism.

The art of hunting not only supplied the
Indian with food, but, like that of war, was
a means of gratifying his love of distinction.
The male children, as soon as they acquired
sufficient age and strength, were furnished
with a bow and arrow, and taught to shoot
birds and other small game.

Their general councils were composed of
the chiefs and old men. When in council
they usually sat in concentric circles around
the speaker, and each individual, notwith-
standing the iiery passions that rankled within,
preserved an exterior as immovable as if cast
in bronze. Laws governing their councils
were as strictly enforced and observed as are
those of similar bodies among modern civil-
ized and enlightened races.

The dwellings of the Indians were of the
simplest and rudest character.

The dwellings of the chiefs were some-
times more spacious, and constructed with
greater care, but of the same materials, which
were generally the barks of trees.

Though principally depending on hunting

for food, they also cultivated small patches of
corn, the labor being performed by the women,
their condition being little better than slaves.

EXPLORATIONS BY TUE WHITES.

The State of Indiana is bounded on the
east by the meridian line which forms also
the western boundary of Ohio, extending due
north from the mouth of tho Great Miami
River; on the south by the Ohio River, from
the mouth of the Great Miami to the mouth
of the Wabash; on the west by a line drawn
along the middle of the Wabash River from
its mouth to a point where a due north line
from the town of Yincennes would last touch
the shore of said river, and thence directly
north to Lake Michigan; and on the north
by said lake and an east and west line ten
miles north of the extreme south end of the
lake, and extending to its intersection with
the aforesaid meridian, the west boundary of
Ohio. These boundaries include an area of
33,809 square miles, lying between 37° 47'
and 41° 50' north latitude, and between 7°
45' and 11° 1' west longitude from Wash-
ington.

After the discovery of America by Colum-
bus, in 1492, more than 150 years passed
before any portion of the territory now com-
prised within the above limits was explored
by Europeans. Colonies were established by
rival European powers in Florida, Virginia
and Nova Scotia, but not until 1670-'72 did
the first white travelers venture as far into
the Northwest as Indiana or Lake Michigan.

These explorers were Frenchmen by the
names of Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon,
who probably visited that portion of the State
north of the Kankakee River. In the fol-
lowing year M. Joliet, an agent of the French
Colonial Government, accompanied by James
Marquette, a Catholic missionary, made an
exploring trip as far westward as the Missis

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

sippi, the banks of wliicli they reached June
17, 1673.

In 1682 La Salle explored the West, but
it is not known that he entered the region
now embraced within the State of Indiana.
He took formal possession of all the Missis-
sippi region in the name of Louis, King of
France, and called the country Louisiana,
which included what is now the State of
Indiana. At the same time Spain claimed
all the country in the region of the Gulf of
Mexico, thus the two countries became com-
petitors for the extension of domain, and
soon caused the several Indian tribes (who
were actually in possession of the country)
to take sides, and a continual state of warfare
was the result. The Great Miami Confed-
eracy ot Indians, the Miamis proper (an-
ciently the Twightwees), being the eastern
and most powerful tribe, their country ex-
tended from the Scioto River west to the
Illinois Hi ver. These Indians were frequently
visited by fur traders and missionaries from
both Catholic and Protestant creeds. The
Five Nations, so called, were tribes farther
east, and not connected with Indiana history.

The first settlement made by the white
man in the territory of the present State of
Indiana was on tlie bank of the river then
known as tlie Ouabache, the name given it
by the French explorers, now the river
Wabash. Francis Moi-gan de Vinsenne, who
served in a military regiment (French) in
Canada as early as 1720, and on the lakes in
1725, first made his advent at Vincennes,
possibly as early as 1732. Records show
him there January 5, 1735 He -was killed
in a war with the Chickasaw Indians in 1736.
The town which he founded bore his name,
Vinsenne, until 1749, when it was changed
to Vincennes.

Post Vincennes was certainly occupied
prior to the date given by Vinsenne, as a

letter from Father Marest, dated at Kas-
kaskia, November 9, 1712, reads as follows:
" The French have established a fort upon the
river Wabash, and want a missionary, and
Father Mermet has been sent to them," Mcr-
met was therefore the first preacher of Chris-
tianity stationed in this part of the world.
Vincennes has ever been a stronghold of
Catholicism. Contemporaneous with the
church at Vincennes was a missionary work
among the Ouiatenons, near the mouth of
the Wea River, which was of but sliort
duration.

NATIONAL POLICIES.

The wars in which France and England
were .engaged, from 1680 to 1697, retarded
the growth of the colonies of those nations
in North America. The English, jealous of
the French, resorted to all available means to
extend their domain westward, the French
equally active in pressing their claims east-
ward and south. Both sides succeeded in
securing savage allies, and for many years
the pioneer settlers were harrassed and cruelly
murdered by the Indians who were serving
the purposes of one or the other contending
nations.

France continued her effort to connect
Canada with the Gulf of Mexico by a chain
of trading-posts and colonies, which increased
the Jealousy of England and laid the founda-
tion for the French and Indian M-ar.

This war was terminated in 1763 by a
treaty at Paris, by which France ceded 'to
Great Britain all of North America east of
the Mississippi except New Orleans and the
island on which it is situated.

The British policy, after getting entire
control of the Indiana territory, was still
unfavorable to its growth in population. In
1765 the total number of French families
within the limits of the Northwestern Terri-

Bistort of Indiana.

tory did not exceed 600. These were iu
Bettlements about Detroit, along the river
Wabash, and the neigliborhood of Fort Char-
tres on the Mississippi.

Of these families, eighty-five resided at
Post Vincennes, fourteen at Fort Ouiatenon,
on the AYabash, and ten at the confluence of
tlie St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers.

The colonial policy of the British Govern-
ment opposed any measures which might
strengthen settlements in the interior of this
country, lest they become self-supporting and
independent of tlie mother country.

Thomas Jefferson, the shrewd statesman
and then Governor of Virginia, saw from the
first that actual occupation of western lands
was the only way to keep them out of the
hands of foreigners and Indians.

He accordingly engaged a scientific corps,
and sent them to the Mississippi to ascertain
the point on that river intersected by latitude
36° 30', the southern limit of the State, and
to measure its distance to the Ohio. He
entrusted the military operations in that
quarter to General Clark, with instructions
to select a strong position near the point
named, and erect a fort, and garrison the same,
for protecting the settlers, and to extend his
conqiiests northward to the lakes. Conform-
ing to instructions, General Clark erected
" Fort Jefferson," on the Mississippi, a few
miles above the southern limit.

The result of these operations was the
addition to Virginia of the vast Northwestern
Territory. The simple fact that a chain of
forts was established by the Americans iu
this vast region, convinced the British Com-
missioners that we had entitled ourselves to
the land.

During this time other minor events were
transpiring outside the territory in question,
wliich subsequently promoted the early set-
tling of portions of Indiana.

On February 11, 1781, a wagoner named
Irvin Hinton was sent from Louisville, Ken-
tucky, to Ilarrodsburg for a load of provi-
sions.

Two young men, Richard Rue and George
Holman, aged respectively nineteen and six-
teen years, accompanied Hinton as guards.
When eight miles from Louisville they were
surprised and captured by the renegade white
man, Simon Girty, and twelve Indian war-
riors. They were marched hurriedly for
three days through deep snow, when they
reached the Indian village of Wa-proc-ca-
nat-ta. Hinton was burned at the stake. Rue
and Holman were adopted in the trilie, and
remained three years, when Rue made his
escape, and Holman, about the same time,
was ransomed by relatives in Kentucky. The
two men were the first white men to settle
in Wayne County, Indiana, where they lived
to a good old age, and died at their homes
two miles south of Richmond.

EXPEDITIONS OF COLONEL GEORGE ROGERS
CLARK.

In the spring of 1776 Colonel George
Rogers Clark, a native of Virginia, who
resided in Kentucky at the above date, con-
ceived a plan of opening up and more rapidly
settling the great Northwest. That portion
of the West called Kentucky was occupied by
Henderson & Co., who pretended to own the
land, and held it at a high price. Colonel
Clark wished to test the validity of their
claim, and adjust the government of the
country so as to encourage Immigration. He
accordingly called a meeting of the citizens
at Harrodstown, to assemble June 6, 1776,
and consider the claims of the company, and
consult with reference to the interest of the
country.

The meeting was held on the day ap-
pointed, and delegates elected to confer with

lILSTOnr OF INDIANA.

the State uf Virginia as to the propriety of
attaching the new country as a county to
that State.

Many causes prevented a consummation
of this object until 1778. Virginia was
favorable to the enterprise, but would not
take action as a State; but Governor Henry
and a few other Virginia gentlemen assisted
Colonel Clark all tliey could. Accordingly
Clark organized his expedition. He took in
stores at Pittsburg and Wheeling, and pro-
ceeded down the Ohio to the " falls," where
he constructed some light fortifications.

At this time Post Vincennes comprised
about 400 militia, and it was a daring under-
taking for Colonel Clark, M-ith his small force,
to go up against it and Kaskaskia, as he had
planned. Some of his men, becoming alarmed
at the situation, deserted him.

He conducted himself so as to gain the
sympathy of the French, and through them
the Indians to some extent, as both these
people were very bitter against the British,
who had possession of the lake region.

From the nature of the situation Clark
concluded to take Kaskaskia first, which he
did, and succeeded by kindness in winning
them to his standard. It was difficult, how-
ever, for him to induce the French to accept
the Continental paper in payment for provi-
sions. Colonel Vigo, a Frenchman who had
a trading establishment there, came to the
rescue, and prevailed upon the people to ac-
cept the paper. Colonel Vigo sold coffee at
$1 a pound, and other necessaries of life at
an equally reasonable price.

The post at Vincennes, defended by Fort
Sackville, was the next and all-important
position to possess. Father Gibault, of Kas-
kaskia, who also had charge of the church
at Vincennes, being friendly to the Amer-
icans, used his influence with the people of
the garrison, and wow them to Clark's stand-

ard. They took the oath of allegiance to
Virginia, and became citizens of the United
States. Colonel Clark here concluded treaties
with the several Indian tribes, and placed
Captain Leonard Helm, an American, in
command of Vincennes. On learning the
successful termination of Clark's exjjedition,
the General Assembly of Virginia declared
all the settlers west of the Ohio organized
into a county of that State, to be known as
" Illinois '• County ; but before the provisions
of the law could be made effective, Henry
Hamilton, the British Lieutenant-Governor
of Detroit, collected an army of thirty regu-
lars, fifty French volunteers and 400 Indians,
and moved upon and took Post Vincennes in
December, 1778. Captain Helm and a man
named Henry were the only Americans at
the fort, the only members of the garrison.
Captain Helm was taken prisoner, and tlie
French disarmed.

Colonel Clark was at Kaskaskia when he
learned of the capture of Vincennes, and de-
termined to retake the place. He gathered
together what force he could (170 men), and
on the 5th of February started from Kas-
kaskia, and crossed the river of that name.
The weather was wet, and the lowlands cov-
ered with water. He had to resort to shoot-
ing such game as chanced to be found to
furnish provisions, and use all the ingenuity
and skill he possessed to nerve his little force
to press forward. He waded tlie water and
shared all the hardships and privations with
his men. They reached the Little Wabash
on the 13th. The river was overflowing the
lowlands from recent rains. Two days were
here consumed in crossing the stream. The
succeeding days they marched through water
much of the time, reaching the Big Wabash
on the night of the 17th. The 18th and
19th were consumed trying to cross tlie river.
Finally canoes were constructed, and the

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BiStOnt OF INDtAHA.

entire iorco crossed the main stream, but to
iind the lowlands under water and consider-
able ice formed from recent cold. His men
mutinied and refused to proceed. All the
persuasions of Clark had no effect upon the
half-starved, and half-frozen, soldiers.

In one company was a small drummer boy,
and also a Sergeant who stood six feet two
inches in socks, and stout and athletic. He
■was devoted to Clark. The General mounted
the little drummer on the shoulders of the
Sergeant, and ordered him to plunge into the
water, half-frozen as it was. He did so, the
little boy beating the charge from his lofty
position, while Clark, sword in hand, fol-
lowed them, giving the command as he threw
aside the floating ice, " Forward." The efl'ect
v.-as electrical; the men hoisted their guns
above their heads, and plunged into the water
and followed their determined leader. On
arriving within two miles of the fort, General
Clark halted his little band, and sent in a
letter demanding a surrender, to which he
received no reply. He next ordered Lieu-
tenant Bayley with fourteen men to advance
and fire on the fort, while the main body
moved in another direction and took posses-
sion of the strongest portion of the town.
Clark then demanded Hamilton's surrender
immediately or he would be treated as a
murderer. Hamilton made reply, indignantly
refusing to surrender. After one hour more
of fighting, Hamilton proposed a truce of
three days. Clark's reply was, that nothing
would be accepted but an unconditional sur-
render of Hamilton and the garrison. In
less than an hour Clark dictated the terms of
sui'render, February 24, 1779.

Of this expedition, of its results, of its
importance, as well as of the skill and bravery
of those engaged in it, a volume would not
suffice for the details.

This expedition and its gifrantic results

has never been surpassed, if equalled, in
modern times, when we consider that by
it the whole territory now included in the
three great States of Indiana, Illinois and
Michigan was added to the Union, and so
admitted by the British Commissioners to
the treaty of peace in 1783. But for the
results of this expedition, our western bound-
ary would have been the Ohio instead of the
Mississippi. When we consider the vast
area of territory embracing 2,000,000 people,
the human mind is lost in the contemplation
of its eflects; and we can but wonder that a
force of 170 men, the whole number of Clark's
troops, should by this single action have pro-
duced such important results.

General Clark reinstated Captain Helm in
command of Vincennes, with instructions to
subdue the marauding Indians, which he did,
and soon comparative quiet was restored on
Indiana soil.

The whole credit of this conquest belongs
to General Clark and Colonel Francis Vigo.
The latter was a Sardinian by birth. He
served for a time in the Spanish army, but
left the army and engaged in trading with the
Indians, and attained to great popularity and
influence among them, as well as making
considerable money. He devoted his time,
influence and means in aid of the Clark
expedition and the cause of the United States.

GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST.

Colonel John Todd, Lieutenant for the
County of Illinois, visited Vincennes and
Ivaskaskia in the spring of 1779, and organ-
ized temporary civil government. He also
proceeded to adjust the disputed land claim.
With this view he organized a court of civil
and criminal jurisdiction at Vincennes. This
court was composed of several magistrates,
and presided over by Colonel J". M. P. Legras,
who was then commander of the post.

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130

EI8T0RT OF INDIANA.

This court, from precedent, began to grant
lands to the French and American inhabitants.
Forty -eight thousand acres had been disposed
of in this manner up to 1787, when the prac-
tice was proliibited by General Ilarmar.

In the fall of 1780 La Balma, a French-
man, made an attempt to capture the British
garrison of Detroit by leading an expedition
against it from Kaskaskia.

He marched with his small force to the
Britisli trading-post at the head of the Mau-
mee, where Fort Wayne now stands, plun-
dered the British traders and Indians, and
retired. While in camp on his retreat, he
was attacked by a bandof Miamis; a number
of his men were killed, and the expedition
was ruined. In this manner war continued
between the Americans and their enemies
until 1783, when the treaty of Paris was
c'onchided, resulting in the establishment of
the independence of the United States.

Up to this time the Indiana territory be-
longed by conquest to the State of Virginia.

In January, 1783, the General Assembly
of that State resolved to cede the territory to
the United States. The proposition made by
Virginia was accepted by the United States,
and the transfer confirmed early in 1784. The
conditions of the transfer of the territory
fo the United States were, that the State of
Virginia should be reimbursed for all expen-
ditures incurred in exploring and protecting
settlers in the territory ; that 150,000 acres
of land should be granted to General Clark
and his band of soldiers, who conquered the
French and British and annexed the terri-
tory to Virginia.

After the above deed of cession had been
accepted by Congress, in the spring of 1784,
tlie matter of the future government of the
territory was referred to a committee con-
sisting of Messrs. Jefferson, of Virginia;
Chase, of Maryland; and Howell, of Rhode

Island; which committee, among other
things, reported an ordinance prohibiting
slavery in the territory after 1800, but this
article of the ordinance was rejected.

The ordinance of 1787 has an interesting
history. Considerable controversy has been
indulged in as to who is entitled to the credit
of framing it. This undoubtedly belongs
to Nathan Dane; and to Rufus King and
Timothy Pickering belongs the credit for
the clause prohibiting slavery contained in it.

Mr. Jefferson had vainly tried to secure a
system of government for the Northwestern
Territory excluding slavery therefrom. The
South invariably voted him down.

In July, 1787, an organizing act without
the slavery clause was pending, which was
supposed would secure its passage. Congress
was in session in New York. July 5 Eev.
Manasseli Cutler, of Massachusetts, came to
New York in the interest of some land spec-
ulators in the Northwest Territory. lie was
a graduate of Yale; had taken the degrees of
the three learned professions — medicine, law
and divinity. As a scientist, in America
his name stood second only to that of
Franklin.

He was a courtly gentleman of the old
style. He readily ingratiated himself into
the confidence of Southern leaders. He
wished to purchase 5,500,000 acres of land
in the new Territory. Jefferson and his ad-
ministration desired to make a record on the
reduction of the public debt, and this was a
rare opportunity. Massachusetts representa-
tives could not vote against Cutler's scheme,
ns many of their constituents were interested
in the measure; Southern members M'ere
already committed. Thus Cutler held the
key to the situation, and dictated terms,
which were as follows:

1. The exclusion of slavery from the
Territorv forever.

HI8T0RT OF INDIANA.

2. Providing one-tliirty-sixtli of all the
land for public schools.

3. Be it forever remembered that this
compact declares that religion, morality and
knowledge being necessary to good govern-
ment and the liappiness of mankind, schools
and the means of education shall always be
encouraged.

Dr. Cutler planted himself on this plat-
form, and would not yield, stating that
unless they could procure the lands under
desirable conditions and surroundings, they
did not want it. July 13, 1787, the bill
became a law. Thus the great States of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wis-
consin — a vast empire — were consecrated to
freedom, intelligence and morality.

October 5, 1787, Congress elected General
Arthur St. Clair Governor of the JSTorth-
western Territory. He assumed his official
duties at Marietta, and at once proceeded to
treat with the Indians, and organize a Terri-
torial government. lie first organized a
court at Marietta, consisting of three judges,
himself being president of the court.

The Governor with the judges then visited
Kaskaskia, for the purpose of organizing civil
government, liaving previously instructed Ma-
jor Ilamtramck, at Vincennes, to present the
policy of the new administration to the sev-
eral Indian tribes, and ascertain their feelings
in regard to acquiescing in the new order of
things. They received the messenger with
cool indifference, whicli, when reported to the
Governor, convinced him that nothing short
of military force would command compliance
with the civil law. He at once proceeded to
Fort Washington, to consult with General
Harmar as to future action. In the mean-
time he intrusted to the Secretary of the
Territory, "Winthrop Sargent, the settlement
of tlie disputed land claims, who found it an
arduous task, and in his report states that

he found the records had been so falsified,
vouchers destroyed, and other crookedness,
as to make it impossible to get at a just
settlement, which proves that the abuse of
public trust is not a very recent discovery.

The General Court in 1790, acting Gov-
ernor Sargent presiding, passed stringent
laws prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liq-
uors to Indians, and also to soldiers within
ten miles of any military post; also prohib-
iting any games of chance within the Terri-
tory.

Winthrop Sargent's administration was
highly eulogized by the citizens. lie had
succeeded in settling the disputed land ques-
tion satisfactory to all concerned, had estab-
lished in good order the machinery of a free,
wise and good government. In the same ad-
dress Major Hamtramck also received a fair
share of praise for his judicious management
of public affairs.

The consultation of Governor St. Clair and
General Harmar, at Fort Washington, ended
in deciding to raise a large military force
and thoroughly chastise the Indians about
the head of the Wabash. Accordingly Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania were called upon for
troops, and 1,800 men were mustered at Fort
Steuben, and, with the garrison of that fort,
joined the forces at Vincennes under Major
Ilamtramck, who proceeded up the Wabash
as far as the Vermillion River, destroying
villages, but without finding an enemy to
oppose him.

General Harmar, with 1,150 men, marched
from Fort Washington to the Maumee, and
began punishing the Indians, but with little
success. The expedition marched from Fort
Washington September 30, and returned to
that place November 4, having lost during
the expedition 183 men killed and thirty-
one wounded.

General Harmar's defeat alarmed as well

'.;

■■■■■■■■■"■■■■■■■a

133

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

as aroused the citizens in the frontier counties
of Virginia. They reasoned that the sav-
ages' success would invite an invasion of
frontier Virginia.

A memorial to this eft'ect M'as presented
before the State General Assembly. This
'memorial caused the Legislature to authorize
tlie Governor to use such means as he might
deera necessary for defensive operations.

The Governor called upon the western
counties of Virginia for militia; at the same
time Charles Scott was appointed Brigadier-
General of the Iventuchy militia, now pre-
paring for defending their frontier.

The proceedings of the Virginia Legisla-
ture reaching Congress, that body at once
constituted a board of war consisting of five
men. March 9, 1791, General Knox, Secre-
tary of War, wrote to General Scott recom-
mending an expedition against the Indians
on the AVabash.

General Scott moved into the Indian set-
tlements, reached the Wabash; the Indians
principally fled before his forces. He de-
stroyed many villages, killed thirty-two war-
riors and took fifty-eight prisoners; the
wretched condition of his hpj'scs prevented
further pursuit.

March 3, 1791, Congress invested Govern-
or St.Clair with the command of 8,000 troops,
and he was instructed by the Secretary of
War to march to the Miami village and es-
tablish a strong and permanent military post
there. The Secretary of War gave him strict
orders, that after establishing a permanent
base at tlie Miami village, he seek the enemy
Mith all his available force and make them
feel the eftects of the superiority of the whites.

Previous to marching a strong force to the
]\nami town, Governor St. Clair, June 25,
1791, authorized General Wilkinson, with
500 mounted men, to move against the In-
dians on the Wabash. General Wilkinson

reported the results of this expedition as fol-
lows: " I have destroyed the chief town of
the Ouiatenon nation, and have made prisoners
of the sons and sisters of the King; I have
burned a Kickapoo village, and cut down
400 acres of corn in the milk."

EXPEDITIONS OF ST. CLAIR AND WAYNE.

The Indians had been seriously damaged
by Harmar, Scott and Wilkinson, but were
far from subdued. The British along the
Canada frontier gave them much encourage-
ment to continue the warfare.

In September, 1791, St. Clair moved from
Fort Washington with a force of 2,000 men
and a number of pieces of artillery, and No-
vember 3 he reached the headwaters of the
Wabash, where Fort Recovery was afterward
erected, and here the army camped, consist-
ing of 1,400 effective men ; on the morning
of November 4 the army advanced and en-
gaged the Indians 1,200 strong.

The Americans were disastrously defeated,
having thirty-nine officers and 539 men
killed and missing, twenty-two officers and
232 men wounded. Several pieces of artil-
lery and all their provisions fell into the
hands of the Indians; estimated loss in prop-
erty, S32,000.

Although no particular Llame was attached
to Governor St. Clair for the loss in his ex-
pedition, yet he resigned the office of Major-
General, and was succeeded by Anthony
Wayne, a distinguished officer of the Revo-
lutionary war.

General Wayne organized his forces at
Pittsburg, and in October, 1793, moved west-
ward from that jioint at the head of an army
of 3,600 men.

He proposed an offensive campaign. The
Indians, instigated by the British, insisted
that the Ohio River should be the boundary
between their lands and the lands of the

HISTORY OF 1X1)1 AS.

133

United States, and were sure tliey could
niaintain that line.

General Scott, of Kentucky, joined General
Wayne with 1,600 mounted men. They
erected Fort Defiance at the mouth of the
Auglaize Eiver. August 15 the army
moved toward the British fort, near the
rapids of the Maumee, where, on the morn-
ing of August 20, they defeated 2,000
Indians and British almost within range of
the guns of the fort. About 900 American
troops were actually engaged. The Ameri-
cans lost thirty-three killed and 100 wound-
ed, tlie enemy's loss being more than double.
AVayne remained in that region for three
days, destroying villages and crops, then re-
turned to Fort Defiance, destroying every-
thing pertaining to Indian subsistence for
many n;iles on cacli side of his route.

September 14, 1794, General Wayne
moved his army in the direction of tlie de-
serted Miami villages at the confluence of
St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, arriving
October 17, and on the following day the
site of Fort Wayne was selected. The fort was
completed November 22, and garrisoned by
a strong detachment of infantry and artillery
commanded by Colonel John F. Hamtramck,
who gave to the new fort the name of Fort
Wayne. General Wayne soon after con-
cluded a treaty of peace with the Indians at
Greenville, in 1795.

ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA TEEEITOEY.

On the final success of American arms and
diplomacy in 1796, the principal town within
the present State of Indiana was Vincennes,
which comprised fifty houses, presenting a
thrifty appearance. Besides Yincennes there
was a small settlement near where Law-
renceburg now stands. There were several
other small settlements and trading-posts in
the present limits of Indiana, and the num-

ber of civilized inhabitants in the Territory
was estimated at 4,875.

The Territory of Indiana was organized by
act of Congress, May 7, 1800, the material
features of the ordinance of 1787 remaining
in force, and the inhabitants were invested
with all the rights and advantages granted
and secured by that ordinance.

The seat of government was fixed at Yin-
cennes. May 13, 1800, William Henry Har-
rison, a native of Yirginia, was appointed
Governor, and John Gibson, of Pennsylvania,
Secretary of the Territory ; soon after Will-
iam Clark, Henry Yanderburg and John
Griffin were appointed Territorial Judges.

Governor Harrison arrived at Yincennes
January 10, 1801, when he called together
the Judges of the Territory to pass such laws
as were deemed necessary for the new govern-
ment. This session began March 3, 1801.

From this time to 1810, the principal sub-
jects which attracted the citizens of Indiana
were land speculations, the question of Afri-
can slavery, and the hostile views and pro-
ceedings of the Shawnee chief, Tecumseh,
and his brother, the Prophet.

Up to this time the Sixth Article of the
ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery, had
been somewhat neglected, and many French
settlers still held slaves; many slaves were
removed to the slave-holding States. A ses-
sion of delegates, elected by a popular vote,
petitioned Congress to revoke the Sixth Ar-
ticle of the ordinance of 1787. Congress
failed to grant this, as well as many other
similar petitions. When it appeared from the
result of a popular vote in the Territory, that a
majority of 138 were in favor of organizing a
General Assembly, Governor Harrison, Sep-
tember 11, 1804, issued a proclamation, and
called for an election to be held in the several
counties of the Territory, January 3, 1805,
to choose members of a House of Represent-

Hl.sTOiil- 0/ lNt)lANA.

\\\

ativcs, who should meet at Yincennes Feb-
ruary 1. The delegates were elected, and
assembled at the place and date named, and
perfected plans for Territorial organization,
and selected five men who should constitute
the Legislative Council of the Territory.

The first General Assembly, or Legisla-
ture, met at Vincennes July 29, 1805. Tlie
members constituting this body were Jesse
B. Thomas, of Dearborn County; Davis
Floyd, of Clark County; Benjamin Park
and John Johnson, of Knox County; Shad-
rach Bond and William Biggs, of St. Clair
County, and George Fisher, of Piandolph
County.

July 30 the Governor delivered his first
message to the Council and House of Repre-
sentatives. Benjamin Park, who came from
New Jersey to Indiana in 1801, was the first
delegate elected to Congress.

The Western Sun was the first newspaper
published in Indiana, first issued at Vin-
cennes in 1803, by Elihu Stout, of Kentucky,
and first called the Indiana Gazette, and
changed to the Sun July 4, 1804.

The total population of Indiana in ISIO
was 24,520. There were 33 grist-mills, 14
saw-mills, 3 horse-mills, 18 tanneries, 28
distilleries, 3 powder-mills, 1,256 looms,
1,350 spinning wheels. Value of woolen,
cotton, liemp and flaxen cloths, $159,052; of
cotton and woolen spun in mills, $150,000;
of nails, 30,000 pounds, $4,000; of leather,
tanned, $9,300; of distillery products, 35,950
gallons, $16,230; of gunpowder, 3,600 pounds,
$1,800; of wine from grapes, 96 barrels,
. $6,000, and 50,000 pmnds of maple sugar.
During the year 1810, a commission was
engaged straightening out the confused con-
dition of laud titles. In making their report
they, as did the previous commissioners,
made complaints of frauds and abuses by
oificials connected with the land department.

The Territory of Indiana was divided in
1809, when the Territory of Illinois was
erected, to comprise all that part of Indiana
Territory west of the Wabash River, and a
direct line drawn from that river and Vin-
cennes due north to the territorial line be-
tween the United States and Canada. For
the first half century from the settlement of
Vincennes the place grew slowly.

Tlie commandants and priests governed
with almost absolute power; the whites lived
in peace with the Indians.

The necessaries of life were easily pro-
cured ; tliere was nothing to stimulate energy
or progi-ess. In such a state of society there
was no demand for learning and science; few
could read, and still fewer could write; they
were void of public spirit, enterprise or
ingenuity.

OOVEENOK HARBISON AND THE INDIANS.

Immediately after the organization of In-
diana Territory, Governor Harrison directed
his attention to settling the land claims of
Indians. He entered into several treaties
with the Indians, whereby, at the close of
1805, the United States had obtained 46,000
square miles of territory.

In 1807 the Territorial statutes were re-
vised. Under the new code, the crimes of
treason, murder, arson and horse-stealing
were made punishable by death; burglary,
robbery, hog-stealing and bigamy were punish-
able by whipping, fine and imprisonment.

The Governor, in his message to the Leg-
islature in 1806, expressed himself as believ-
ing the peace then existing between tlie
whites and the Indians was permanent. At
the same time he alluded to the probability
of a disturbance in consequence of enforce-
ment of law as applying to tlie Indians.

Altliough treaties with the Indians defined
boundary lines, the whites did not strictly

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

observe them. They trespassed on the In-
dian's reserved rights, and thus gave hira just
groTinds for his continuous complaints from
1805 to 1810. This agitated feeling of the
Indians was utilized by Law-le-was-i-kaw, a
brother of Tecnmseh, of the Shawnee tribe.

He was a warrior of great renown, as well
as an orator, and had an unlimited influence
among the several Indian tribes.

He used all means to concentrate the com-
bined Indian strength to annihilate the
whites. Governor Harrison, realizing the
progress this Prophet was making toward
opening hostilities, and hoping by timely
action to check the movement, he, early in
1808, sent a speech to the Shawnees in
which he advised the people against being
led into danger and destruction by the
Prophet, and informed them that warlike
demonstrations must be stopped.

Governor. Harrison, Tecnmseh and the
Prophet held several meetings, the Governor
charging them as being friends of the British,
they denying the charge and protesting
against the farther appropriation of their
lands.

Governor Harrison, in direct opposition to
their protest, continued to extinguish Indian
titles to lands.

While the Indians were combining to pre-
vent any further transfer of lands to the
whites, the British were actively preparing
to use them in a war against the Americans.

Governor Harrison, anticipating their de-
signs, invited Tecnmseh to a council, to talk
over grievances and try to settle all differ-
ences without resort to arms.

Accordingly, August 12, 1810, Tecumseh,
with seventy warriors, marched to the Gov-
ernor's house, where several days were spent
without any satisfactory settlement. On the
20th, Tecumseh delivered his celebrated
speech, in which he gave the Governor the

alternative of returning their lands or meet-
ing them in battle. In his message to the
Legislature of 1810, the Governor reviewed
the dangerous attitude of the Indians toward
the whites as expressed by Tecumseh. In
the same message he also urged the establish-
ment of a system of education.

In 1811 the British agent for Indian af-
fairs adopted measures calculated to secure
the Indians' support in a war which at this
time seemed inevitable.

In the meantime Governor Harrison used
all available means to counteract the British
influence, as well as that of Tecumseh and the
Prophet, with the Indians, but without suc-
cess.

The threatening storm continued to gather,
receiving increased force from various causes,
until the Governor, seeing war was the last
resort, and near at hand, ordered Colonel
Boyd's regiment to move to Vincennes, where
a military organization was about ready to
take the field.

The Governor, at the head of this expedi-
tion, marched from Vincennes September 26,
and encamped October 3 near where Terre
Haute now stands. Here they completed a
fort on the 28th, which was called Ftirt Har-
rison. This fort was garrisoned with a small
number of men under Lieutenant Miller.

Governor Harrison, with the main army,
910 men, marched to the Prophet's town on
the 29th, where a conference was opened, and
the Indians plead for time to treat for peace;
the Governor gave them until the following
day, and retired a short distance; from the
town and encamped for the night. The In-
dians seemed only to be parleying in order to
gain advantage, and on the morning of No-
vember 7, at 4 o'clock, made a desperate
charge into the camp of the Americans. For
a few moments all seemed lost, but the troops
soon realizing their desperate situation, fought

with a determination equal to savages. The
Americans soon routed their savage assail-
ants, and thus ended the famous battle of
Tippecanoe, victoriously to the whites and
honorably to General Harrison.

The Americans lost in this battle thirty-
seven killed and twenty-five mortally wound-
ed, and 126 wounded. The Indians left
thirty -eight killed on the field, and their faith
in the Prophet was in a measure destroyed.
November 8 General Harrison destroyed the
Prophet's town, and reached Vincennes on
the 18th, where the army was disbanded.

The battle of Tippecanoe secured peace
but for a short time. The British continued
their aggression until the United States de-
clared war against them. Tecumseh had fled
to Canada, and now, in concert with the Brit-
ish, began inroads upon the Americans.
Events of minor importance we pass here.

In September, 1812, Indians assembled in
large numbers in the vicinity of Fort Wayne
with the purpose of capturing the garrison.
Chief Logan, of the Shawnee tribe, a friend
to the whites, succeeded in entering the fort
and informing the little garrison that General
Harrison was coming with a force to their
relief, which nerved them to resist the furious
savage assaults.

September 6, 1812, Harrison moved with
his army to the relief of Fort Wayne. Sep-
tember 9 Harrison, with 3,500 men, camped
near the fort, expecting a battle the follow-
ing day. The morning of the 10th disclosed
the fact that the enemy had learned of the
strong force approaching and had disappeared
during the previous night.

Simultaneous with the attack on Fort
Wayne the Indians also besieged Fort Har-
rison, then commanded by Zachariali Taylor,
and succeeded in destroying considerable
property and getting away M-ith all the stock.
About the same time the Indians massacred

the inhabitants at the settlement of Pidgeon
Hoost.

The war now being thoroughly inaugurated,
hostilities continued throughout the North-
west between the Americans and the British
and Indians combined. Engagements of
greater or less magnitude were of almost
daily occurrence, the victory alternating in
the favor of one or the other party.

The Americans, however, continued to hold
the territory and gradually press back the
enemy and diminish his numbers as well as
his zeal.

Thus the war of 1812 was waged until De-
cember 24, 1814, when a treaty of peace was
signed by England and the United States at
Ghent, which terminated hostile operations
in America and restored to the Indiana set-
tlers peace and quiet, and opened the gates
for immigration to the great and growing
State of Indiana as well as the entire North-
west.

CIVIL MATTERS.

The Legislature, in session at A'incennes
February, 1813, changed the seat of govern-
ment from Vincennes to Corydon. The same
year Thomas Posey, who was at the time
Senator in Congress, was appointed Governor
of Indiana to succeed Governor Harrison,
who was then commanding the army in the
field. The Legislature passed several laws
necessary for the welfare of the settlement,
and General Harrison being generally suc-
cessful in forcing the Indians back from the
settlements, hope revived, and the tide of im-
migration began again to flow. The total
white population in Indiana in 1815 was es-
timated at 63,897.

GENERAL REVIEW.

Notwithstanding the many rights and
privileges bestowed upon tlie people of the
Northwestern Territory by the ordinance of

nisTonr of Indiana.

1787. they were far from eiijo^-iiig a full
form of republican government. A freehold
estate of 500 acres of land was a necessary
(junlification o become a member of the
Legislative Council. Each member of the
House of Representatives Wiis required to
possess 200 acres of land; no man could cast
a vote for a Representative but such as owned
iifty acres of land. The Governor was in-
vested with the power of appointing all civil
and militia officers, judges, clerks, county
treasurers, county surveyors, justices, etc.
He had the power to apportion the Repre-
sentatives in the several counties, and to
convene and adjourn the Legislature at his
pleasure, and prevent the passage of any
Territorial law.

In 1809 Congress passed an act empow-
ering the people of Indiana to elect their
Legislative Council by a popular vote; and
in 1811 Congress abolished property qualifi-
cation of voters, and declared that every free
white male person who had attained to the
age of twenty-one years, and paid a tax,
should exercise the right of franchise.

The Legislature of 1814 divided the Terri-
tory into three judicial circuits. The Gov-
ernor was empowered to appoint judges for
the same, whose compensation should be
S~00 jier annum.

The same year charters were granted to
two banking institutions, the Farmers' and
Mechanics' Bank of Madison, authorized cap-
ital 8750,000, and the Bank of Vincennes,
$500,000.

OKGANIZATION OF THE STATE.

The last Territorial Legislature convened
at Corydon, in December, 1815, and on the
14th adopted a memorial to Congress, pray-
ing for authority to adopt a Constitution
and State Government. Mr. Jennings, their
delegate in Congress, laid the matter before

that body on the 28th; and April 19, 1810,
the President approved the bill creating the
State of Indiana. The following May an
election was held for a Constitutional Con-
vention, which met at Corydon June 15 to
29, John Jennings presiding, and "William
Hendricks acting as secretary.

The people's representatives in this As-
sembly were an able body of men, and the
Constitution which they formed for Indiana
in 1816 was not inferior to any of the State
constitutions which were existing at that
time.

The first State election was held the first
Monday of August, 1816, and Jonathan Jen-
nings was elected Governor, Christopher
Harrison, Lieutenant-Governor, and William
Hendricks .was elected Representative to
Congress.

The first State General Assembly began
its session at Corydon November 4, 1816,
John Paul, Chairman of the Senate, and Isaac
Blackford, Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives.

This session of the Legislature elected
James Noble and Waller Taylor to the Sen-
ate of the United States; Robert A. New,
Secretary of State; W. II. Lilley, Auditor of
State, and Daniel C. Lane, State Treasurer.

The close of the war, 1814, was followed
by a rush of immigrants to the new State,
and in 1820 the State had more than doubled
her population, having at this time 147,178.
The period of 1825-'30 was a prosperous
time for the young State. Immigration con-
tinued rapid, the crops were generally good,
and the hopes of the people raised higher
than ever before.

In 1830 there still remained two tribes of
Indians in the State of Indiana, the Miamis
and Pottawatomies, who were much
to being removed to new territory. This
state of discontent was used by the celebrated

BISTORT OF INDIANA.

warrior, Black Hawk, who, hoping to receive
aid from the discontented tribes, invaded
the frontier and slaughtered many citizens.
Others fled from their homes, and a vast
amount of property was destroyed, This
was in 1832, and known as the Black Ilawk
war.

The invaders were driven away with severe
punishment, and when those who had aban-
doned their homes were assured that the
Miamis and Pottawatomies did not contem-
plate joining the invaders, they returned and
again resumed their peaceful avocations.

In 1837-'38 all the Indians were removed
from Indiana west of the Mississippi, and
very soon land speculations assumed large
proportions in the new State, and many ruses
were resorted to to bull and bear the market.
Among other means taken to keep out specu-
lators was a regular Indian scare in 1827.

In 1814 a society of Germans, under Fred-
erick Eappe, founded a settlement on the
Wabash, tifty miles above its mouth, and
gave to the place the name of Harmony. In
1825 the town and a large quantity of land
adjoining was purchased by Robert Owen,
father of David Dale Owen, State Geologist,
and of Robert Dale Owen, of later notoriety.
Robert Owen was a radical philosopher, from
Scotland.

INDIANA IN THE MEXICAN WAE.

During the administration of Governor
Whitcomb, the United States became in-
volved in the war with Mexico, and Indiana
was prompt in furnishing her quota of vol-
unteers.

The soldiers of Indiana who served in this
war were five regiments, First, Second,
Third, Fourth and Fifth. Companies of the
the three first-named regiments served at
times with Illinois, New York and South
Carolina troops, under General Shields. The

other regiments, under Colonels Gorman and
Lane, were under other commanders.

The Fourth Regiment comprised ten com-
panies; was organized at Jefl'ersonville, by
Captain K. C.^Gatlin, June 5, 1847, and
elected Major Willis A. Gorman, of the
Third Regiment, Colonel; Ebenezer Du
mont, Lieutenant-Colonel, and W. McCoy,
Major. They were assigned to General Lane's
command, and the Indiana volunteers made
themselves a bright record in all the engage-
ments of the Mexican war.

INDIANA IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

The fall of Fort Sumter was a signal for an
uprising of the people, and the State of In-
diana M-as among the first to respond to the
summons of patriotism, and register itself on
the national roll of honor. Fortunately for the
State, she had a Governor at the time whose
patriotism has seldom been equaled and
never excelled. Governor Oliver P. Morton,
immediately upon receiving the news of the
fall of Sumter, telegraphed President Lin-
coln, tendering 10,000 troops in the name ot
Indiana for the defense of the Union.

The President had called upon the several
States for 75,000 men; Indiana's quota was
4,683. Governor Morton called for six regi-
ments April 16, 1861.

Hon. Lewis Wallace, of Mexican war fame,
was appointed Adjutant-General; Colonel
Thomas Morris, Quartermaster-General, and
Isaiah Mansur, of Indianapolis, Commissary-
General. Governor Morton was also busy ar-
ranging the finances of the State, so as to
support the military necessities, and to his
appeals to public patriotism he received
prompt and liberal financial aid from public-
spirited citizens throughout the State. On
the 20th of April Major T. J. Wood arrived
from Washington, to receive the troops then
organized, and Governor Morton telegraphed

BISTORT OF INDIANA.

the President that he could place six regi-
ments of infantry at the disposal of the Gov-
ernment; failing to receive a reply, the
Legislature, then in extra session, April 27,
organized six new regiments for three
months service, and notwithstanding the
fact that the first six regiments were already
mustered into the general service, were
known as " The First Brigade Indiana Vol-
unteers," and were numbered respectively:
Sixth Eegiment, Colonel T. T. Crittenden;
Seventh Regiment, Colonel Ebenezer Du-
mont; Eighth Eegiment, Colonel W. P. Ben-
ton; Ninth Eegiment, Colonel E. H. Milroy;
Tenth Eegiment, Colonel T. T. Eeynolds;
Eleventh Eegiment, Colonel Lewis Wallace.
The idea of these numbers was suggested
from the fact that Indiana was represented
in the Mexican war by one brigade of five
regiments, and to observe consecutiveness
the regiments comprised in the first division
of volunteers were thus numbered, and the
entire force placed under the command of
Brigadier-General T. A. Morris, with the
following stafi": John Love, Major; Cyrus
C. Hines, Aid-de-camp, and J. A. Stein,
Assistant Adjutant-General. They rendered
valuable service in the field, returned to In-
dianapolis July 29, and the six regiments,
with the surplus volunteers, now formed a
division of seven regiments. All organized
for three years, between the 20th of August
and 20th of September, with the exception
of the Twelfth, which was accepted for one
year, under the command of Colonel John M.
Wallace, and reorgaiiized May, 1862, for
three years, under Colonel W. H. Link. The
Thirteenth Eegiment, Colonel Jeremiah Sul-
livan, was mustered into service in 1861,
and assigned to General McClellan's com-
mand.

The Fourteenth Eegiment organized in
1861, for one year, and reorganized soon

thereafter for three years, commanded by
Colonel Kimball.

The Fifteenth Eegiment organized June
14, 1861, at LaFayette, under Colonel G. D.
Wagner. On the promotion of Colonel
Wagner, Lieutenant-Colonel G. A. Wood be-
came Colonel of the regiment in November,
1862.

The Sixteenth Eegiment organized, under
P. A. Ilackleman, of Eichmond, for one
year. Colonel Hackleman was killed at the
battle of luka. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas
J. Lucas succeeded to the command. The
regiment M-as discharged in Washington, D.
C, in May, 1862; reorganized at Indianapo-
lis May 27, 1862, for three years, and par-
ticipated in the active military operations
until the close of the war.

The Seventeenth Eegiment was organized
at Indianapolis June 12, 1861, under Colonel
Hascall, who was promoted to Brigadier-
General in March, 1862, when the command
devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel John T.
Wilder.

The Eighteenth Eegiment was organized
at Indianapolis, under Colonel Thomas Pat-
terson, August 16, 1861, and served under
General Pope.

The Nineteenth Eegiment organized at
Indianapolis July 29, 1861, and was assigned
to the Army of the Potomac, under Colonel
Solomon Meridith. It was consolidated with
the Twentieth Eegiment October, 1864, under
Colonel William Orr, formerly its Lieuten-
ant-Colonel.

The Twentieth Eegiment organized at La
Fayette, for three years service, in July, 1861,
and was principally engaged along the coast.

The Twenty-first Eegiment was organized,
under Colonel I. W. McMillan, July 24, 1861.
This was the first regiment to enter New Or-
leans, and made itself a lasting name by its
various valuable services.

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

The Twenty-second Eegiraent, under Col-
onel Jetf. C. Davis, joined General Fremont's
Corps, at St. Louis, on the 17th of August,
1861, and performed gallant deeds under Gen-
eral Sherman in the South.

The Twenty-third Battalion was organized,
xinder Colonel W. L. Sanderson, at New Al-
bany, July 29, 1861. From its unfortunate
marine experiences before Fort Henry to
Bentonville it M-on unusual honors.

The Twenty-fourth Battalion was organ-
ized, under Colonel Alvin P. Hovey, at Vin-
cennes, July 31, 1861, and assigned to
Fremont's command.

The Twenty-fifth Regiment was organized
at Evansville, for three years, under Colonel
J. C. Yeach, August 26, 1861, and was en-
gaged in eighteen battles during its term.

The Twenty-sixth Battalion was organized
at Indianapolis, under W. M. Wheatley, Sep-
tember 7, 1861, and served under Fremont,
Grant, Heron and Smith.

The Twenty-seventh Regiment, under Col-
onel Silas Colgrove, joined General Banks
September 15, 1861, and was with General
Sherman on the famous march to the sea.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment, or First
Cavalrj', was organized at Evansville August
20, 1861, under Colonel Conrad Baker, and
performed good service in the Virginias.

The Twenty-ninth Battalion, of La Porte,
under Colonel J. F. Miller, was organized in
October, 1861, and M'as under Rousseau,
McCook, Rosecrans and others. Colonel
Miller was promoted to the rank of Brig-
adier-General, and Lieutenant-Colonel D. M.
Dunn succeeded to the command of the
regiment.

The Thirtieth Regiment, of Fort "Wayne,
under Colonel Silas S. Bass, joined General
Rousseau October 9, 1861. The Colonel re-
ceived a mortal wound at Shiloh, and died
a few days after. Lieutenant-Colonel J. B.

Dodge succeeded to the command of the
regiment.

The Thirty-first Regiment organized at
Terre Haute, under Colonel Charles Cruft, in
September, 1861, and served in Kentucky
and the South.

The Thirty-second Regiment of German
Infantry, under Colonel August Willich, or-
ganized at Indianapolis August 24, 1861, and
served with distinction. Colonel Willich was
promoted to Brigadier-General, and Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Henry Yon Trebra succeeded to
the command of the regiment.

The Thirty-third Regiment, of Indianapo-
lis,was organized, under Colonel John Coburn,
September 16, 1861, and won a series of dis-
tinctions throughout the war.

The Tliirty-fourth Battalion organized at
Anderson, under Colonel Ashbury Steele,
September 16, 1861, and gained a lasting rep-
utation for gallantry during the M-ar.

The Thirty-fifth, or First Irish Regiment,
oi'ganized at Indianapolis, under Colonel John
C. Walker, December 11, 1861. On the 22d
of May, 1862, it was joined by the Sixty-
first, or Second Irish Regiment, when Colonel
Mullen became Lientenant-Colonel of the
Thirty-fifth, and soon after its Colonel.

Tiie Thirty-sixth Regiment was organized,
under Colonel William Grose, at Richmond,
September 16, 1861, and assigned to the army
of the Ohio.

TheThirty-seventh Battalion was organized
at Lawrenceburg, September 18, 1861, Col-
onel George W. Ilazzard commanding, and
was with General Sherman to the sea.

The Thirty-eighth Regiment was organized
at New Albany, under Colonel Benjamin F.
Scribner, September 18, 1861.

The Thirty-ninth Regiment, or Eighth
Cavalry, was organized as an infantry
regiment, under Colonel T. J. Harrison,
at Indianapolis, August 28, 1861. In

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

1863 it was reorganized as a cavalry reg-
iment.

The Fortieth Eegiment was organized at
La Fayette, under Colonel W. C. Wilson,
December 30, 1861, and subsequently com-
manded by Colonel J. W. Blake, and again
by Colonel Henry Learning, and saw service
with Buell's army.

The Forty-first Eegiment, or Second Cav-
alry, the tirst complete regiment of horse
raised in the State, was organized at Indian-
apolis, under Colonel John A. Bridgland,
September 3, 1861; was with General Sher-
man through Georgia, and with General
"Wilson in Alabama.

The Forty-second Regiment was organized
at Evansville, under Colonel J. G. Jones,
October 9, 1861, and participated in the
Sherman campaign.

The Forty-third Battalion was organized at
Terre Haute, under Colonel George K. Steele,
September 27, 1861, and assigned to Pope's
army; was the first regiment to enter Mem-
phis, and was with Commodore Foote at the
reduction of Fort Pillow.

The Forty-fourth Regiment was organized
at Fort Wayne, under Colonel Hugh B.
Reed, October 24, 1861, and attached to
General Cruft's Brigade.

The Forty-fifth, or Third Cavalry, was at
difterent periods, 1861-'62, under Colonel
Scott Carter and George H. Chapman.

The Forty-sixth Regiment organized at
Logansport, under Colonel Graham N. Fitch,
in February, 1862, and was assigned to Gen-
eral Pope's army, and served under Generals
Sherman, Grant and others.

The Forty-seventh Regiment was organized
at Anderson, under Colonel I. R. Slack, early
in October, 1862, and was assigned to Gen-
eral Buell's army, thence to General Pope's.
In December, 1864, Colonel Slack was
promoted to Brigadier-General, and Colonel

J. A. McLaughton succeeded to the command
of the regiment.

The Forty-eighth Regiment was organized
at Goshen, under Colonel Norman Eddy,
December, 6 1861, and made itself a bright
name at the battle of Corinth.

The Forty-ninth Regiment organized at
Jeffersonville, under Colonel J. W. Ray,
November 21, 1861, and first saw active ser-
vice in Kentucky.

The Fiftieth Regiment, under Colonel
Cyrus L. Dunham, was organized at Sey-
mour in September, 1861, and entered the
service in Kentucky.

The Fifty-first Regiment, under Colonel
Abel D. Streight, was organized at Indian-
apolis December 14, 1861, and immediately
began service with General Buell.

The Fifty-second Regiment was partially
raised at Rushville, and completed at Indian-
apolis by consolidating with the Railway
Brigade, or Fifty-sixth Regiment, February
2, 1862, and served in the several campaigns
in the South.

The Fifty- third Battalion was raised at
New Albany, with the addition of recruits
from Rockport, and made itself an endurable
name under Colonel W. Q. Gresham.

The Fifty-fourth Regiment organized at
Indianapolis, under Colonel D. J. Rose, for
three months, June 10, 1862, and was assigned
to General Kirby Smith's command.

The Fifty-fifth Regiment organized for
three months, under Colonel J. R. Malion,
June 16, 1862.

The Fifty-sixth Regiment, referred to in
the sketch of the Fifty-second, was designed
to be composed of railroad men, under Col-
onel J. M. Smith, but owing to many railroad
men having joined other commands, Colonel
Smith's volunteers were incorporated with
the Fifty-second, and this number left blank
in the army list.

The Fifty-seventli Battalion was organized
by two ministers of tlie gospel, the Eev. I. W.
T. McMullen and Eev. F. A. Hardin, of
Kichmond, Indiana, November 18, 1861,
Colonel McMullen commanding. The regi-
ment was severally commanded by Colonels
Cyrus C. Haynes, G. W. Leonard, Willis
Blanch and John S. McGrath.

The Fifty-eiglith Kegiraent was organized
at Princeton, under Colonel Henry M. Carr,
in October, 1861, and assigned to General
Buell's command.

The Fifty-ninth Battalion was organized
under Colonel Jesse I. Alexander, in Feb-
ruary, 1862, and assigned to General Pope's
command.

The Sixtieth Eegiment Avas partially or-
ganized at Evansville, under Lieutenant-
Colonel Eichard Owen, in November, 1861,
and perfected its organization at Camp Mor-
ton in March, 1862, and immediately entered
the service in Kentucky.

The Sixty-first Eegiment was partially
organized in December, 1861, under Colonel
B. F. Mullen. Li May, 1862, it was incor-
porated with the Thirty-fifth Eegiment.

The Sixty-second Eegiment, raised under
Colonel William Jones, of Eockport, was
consolidated with the Fifty -third Eegi-
ment.

The Sixty-third Eegiment, of Covington,
under Colonel James McManomy, was par-
tially raised in December, 1861, and im-
mediately entered upon active duty. Its
organization was completed at Indianapolis,
February, 1862, by six new companies.

The Sixty-fourth Eegiment was organized
as an artillery corps. The War Department
prohibiting consolidating batteries, put a stop
to the movement. Subsequently an infantry
regiment bearing the same number was
raised.

The Sixty-fifth Eegiment, under Colonel

J. W, Foster, completed its organization at
Evansville, August, 1862.

The Sixty-sixth Eegiment organized at
New Albany, under Colonel Eoger Martin,
August 19, 18.62, and entered the service
immediately in Kentucky.

The Sixty-seventh Eegiment was organ-
ized in the Third Congressional District,
under Colonel Frank Emerson, and report. "1
for service at Louisville, Kentucky, in Au-
gust, 1862.

The Sixty-eighth Eegiment organized at
Greenburg, under Major Benjamin C. Slia\\ ,
and entered the service August- 19, ISf. ,',
under Colonel Edward A. King, with Maj-r
Shaw as Lieutenant-Colonel.

The Sixty-ninth Eegiment was organi:;<'i
at Eichmond, under Colonel A. Bickle; v. :
taken prisoners at Eichmond, Kentucl;; :
when exchanged they reorganized in ISd'J,
Colonel T. W. Bennett commanding.

The Seventieth Eegiment was organized
at Indianapolis, August 12, 1862, under
Colonel B. Harrison, and at once marched to
the front in Kentucky.

The Seventy-first, or Sixth Cavalry, was
an unfortunate regiment, organized at Terre
Haute, under Lieutenant-Colonel Melville D.
Topping, August 18, 1862. At the battle
near Eichmond, Kentucky, Colonel Topping
and Major Conklin, together with 213 men,
were killed; 347 taken prisoners; only 225
escaped. The regiment was reorganized un-'
der Colonel I. Bittle, and was captured by
the Confederate General Morgan on the 28th
of December, same year.

The Seventy-second Eegiment organized
at La Fayette, under Colonel Miller, August
17, 1862, and entered the service in Kentucky.

The Seventy-third Eegiment, under Colo-
nel Gilbert Hathaway, was organized at
South Bend, August 16, 1862, and saw ser
vice under Generals Eosecrans and Granger.

Ui STORY OF INDIANA.

Tlio Seventj-fourtli Regiment was par-
tially organized at Fort Wayne, and com-
pleted at Indianapolis, August 22, 1862, and
repaired to Kentucky, under command of
Colonel Charles W. Chapman.

The Seventy-fifth Regiment was organized
within the Eleventh Congressional District,
and marched to the front, under Colonel I.
W. Petit, August 21, 1862.

The Seventy-sixth Battalion was organized
for thirty days' service in Jiily, 1862, under
Colonel James Gavin, of Newburg.

The Seventy-seventh, or Fourth Cavalry,
was organized at Indianapolis, August, 1862,
under Colonel Isaac P. Gray, and carved its
way to fame in over twenty battle-fields.

The Seventy-ninth Regiment organized at
Indianapolis, under Colonel Fred. Ivnefler,
September 2, 1862, and performed gallant
service until the close of the war.

The Eightieth Regiment was organized
within the First Congressional District, un-
der Colonel C. Denby, August 8, 1862, and
left Indianapolis immediately for the front.

The Eighty-first Regiment, under Colonel
W. "W". Caldwell, organized at New Albany,
August 29, 1862, and was assigned to Gen-
eral Buell's command.

The Eighty-second Regiment, under Colo-
nel Morton C. Hunter, organized at Madison,
August 30, 1862, and immediately moved to
the front.

The Eighty-third Regiment, under Colo-
nel Ben. J. Spooner, organized at Lawrence-
burg, Sejjtember, 1862, and began duty on
the Mississippi.

The Eighty-fourth Regiment organized at
Richmond, Indiana, September 8, 1862, Colo-
nel Nelson Trusler commanding, and entered
the field in Kentucky.

The Eighty-fifth Regiment organized under
Colonel John P. Bayard, at Terra Haute,
September 2, 1862. and with Coburn's Bri-

gade surrendered to the rebel General For-
rest in March, 1863.

The Eighty-sixth Regiment left La Fayette
for Kentucky under Colonel Orville S. Ham-
ilton August 26, 1862.

The Eighty-seventh Regiment organized
at South Bend, under Colonels Kline G.
Sherlock and N. Gleason, and left Indianap-
oplis for the front August 31, 1862, and was
with General Sherman through Georgia.

The Eighty-eighth Regiment organized
within the Fourth Congressional District,
under Colonel George Humphrey, and moved
to the front August 29, 1862, and was pres-
ent with General Sherman at the surrender
of General Johnston's army.

The Eighty-ninth Regiment organized
within the Eleventh Congressional District,
under Charles D. Murray, August 28, 1862.

The Ninetieth Regiment, or Fifth Cavalry,
organized at Indianapolis, under Colonel
Felix W. Graham, August to November,
1862, assembled at Louisville in March, 1863,
and participated in twenty-two engagements
during its term of service.

The Ninety-first Battalion, under Lieuten-
ant-Colonel John Mehringer, organized in
October, 1862, at Evansville, and proceeded
at once to the front.

The Ninety -second Regiment failed to or-
ganize.

The Ninety-third Regiment, under Col-
onel De "Witt C. Thomas, organized at Mad-
ison October 20, 1862, and joined General
Sherman's command.

The Ninety-fourth and Ninety-fifth Regi-
ments were only partially raised, and the
companies were incorporated with other regi-
ments.

The Ninety-sixth Regiment could bring
together but three companies, which were in-
corporated with the Ninety-ninth at South
Bend, and the number left blank.

;«;

^^»g»g»«Mw*'M"Bi"i»«»ai"'^"'Hga5

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

The Kinety-seventh Kegiment organized
at Terra Haute, under Colonel Kobert F. Cat-
tersoii, September 20, 1861, and took position
at the front near Memphis.

The Ninety-eighth Eegiment failed to or-
ganize, and the two companies raised were
consolidated with the One Hundredth Regi-
ment at Fort Wayne.

The JSTinety-ninth Battalion organized in
the Ninth Congressional District, under Col-
onel Alex. Fawler, October 21, 1862, and
operated with the Sixteenth Army Corps.

The One Hundredth Regiment organized
at Fort "Wayne, under Colonel Sanford J.
Stoughton, and joined the army of the Ten-
nessee November 26, 1862.

The One Hundred and First Regiment
was organized at Wabash, under Colonel
William Garver, September 7, 1862, and im-
mediately began active duty in Kentucky.

The One Hundred and Second Regiment
organized, under Colonel Benjamin F. Gregry,
at Indianapolis, early in S\\\j, 1864.

The One Hundred and Third Regiment
comprised seven companies from the counties
of Hendricks, Marion and Wayne, under Col-
onel Lawrence S. Shuler.

The One Hundred and Fourth Regiment
was recruited from members of the Legion
of Decatur, La Fayette, Madison, Marion and
Rush counties, under Colonel James Gavin.

The One Hundred and Fifth Regiment was
formed from tlie Legion and Minute Men,
furnished by Hancock, Union, Randolph,
Putnam, Wayne, Clinton and Madison coun-
ties, under Colonel Sherlock.

The One Hundred and Sixth Regiment,
under Colonel Isaac P. Gray, was organized
from the counties of Wayne, Randolph, Han-
cock, Howard and Marion.

The One Hundred and Seventh Regiment
was organized in Indianapolis, under Colonel
De Witt C. Ruggs.

The One Hundred and Eighth Regiment,
under Colonel W.C.Wilson, was formed from
the counties of Tippecanoe, Hancock, Car-
roll, Montgomery and Wayne.

The One Hundred and Ninth Regiment,
under Colonel J. R. Malion, was composed of
companies from La Porte, Hamilton, Miami
and Randolph counties, Indiana, and from
Coles County, Illinois.

The One Hundred and Tenth Regiment
was composed of companies from the counties
of Henry, Madisun, Delaware, Cass and Mon-
roe ; tliis regiment was not called into the field.

The One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment,
from Montgomery, La Fayette, Rush, Miami,
Monroe, Delaware and Hamilton counties,
under Colonel Robert Canover, was not called
out.

The One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment,
under Colonel Hiram F. Brax, was formed
from the counties of Lawrence, Washington,
Monroe and Orange.

The One Iliindred and Thirteenth Regi-
ment, from the counties of Daviess, Martin,
Washington and Monroe, was commanded by
Colonel George W. Burge.

The One Hundred and Fourteenth Regi-
ment, under Colonel Lambertson, was wholly
organized in Jolmson County.

These twelve last-named regiments were
organized to ineet an emergency, caused by
the invasion of Indiana by the rebel General
John Morgan, and disbanded when he was
captured.

The One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment,
under Colonel J. R. Mahon, was organized at
Indianapolis August 17, 1863.

The One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment,
under Colonel Charles Wise, organized Au-
gust, 1863, and served in Kentucky.

The One Hundred and Seventeenth Regi--
ment, under Colonel Thomas J. Brady, or-
ganized at Indianapolis September 17, 1863.

T^!^^'^^:zZ'^^'z^'^^!!^^^i^t !^^i^^i^'^^^z\

ni STORY OF INDIANA.

Tlie One Hundred and Eigliteeuth Eegi-
ment, under Colonel George W. Jackson,
organized September 3, 1863.

The One Hundred and Nineteenth Eegi-
ment, or Seventh Cavalry, Avas organized,
under Colonel John P. C. Shanks, in October,
1SG3; made an endurable name on many
fields of battle. Many of this regiment lost
their lives on the ill-fated steamer Sultana.

The One Hundred and Twentieth Eegi-
ment was organized in April, 1864, and
formed a portion of Erigadier-General Ho-
vey's command.

The One Hundred and Twenty-first Eegi-
ment, or Ninth Cavalry, was organized at
Indianapolis, under Colonel George W.Jack-
son; this regiment also lost a number of men
on the steamer Sultana.

The One Hundred and Twenty-second
Eegiment failing to organize, this number
became blank.

The One Hundred and Twenty-third Eegi-
ment, uhder Colonel John C. McQuiston,
perfected an organization in March, 1864,
and did good service.

The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth
Eegiment, under Colonel James Burgess,
organized at Eichmond March 10, 1864, and
served under General Sherman.

The One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Eegi-
ment, or Tenth Cavalry, under Colonel T. M.
Pace, completed its organization at Columbus,
May, 1863, and immediately moved to the
front. This regiment lost a number of men
on the steamer Sultana.

The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Eegi-
ment, or Eleventli Cavalry, organized at
Indianapolis, nnder Colonel Eobert E. Stew-
iirt, in March, 1864, and entered the field in
Tennessee.

The One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh
Eegiment, or Twelfth Cavalry, under Colonel
Edward Anderson, organized at Kendallville

in April, 1864, and served in Georgia and
Alabama.

The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth
Eegiment organized at Michigan City, under
Colonel E. P. De Hart, March 18, 1864, and
served under General Sherman in his famous
campaign.

The One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Eegi-
ment organized at Michigan City, nnder Col-
onel Charles Case, in April, 1864, and shared
in the fortunes of the One Hundred and
Twenty-eighth.

The One Hundred and Thirtieth Eegiment
organized at Kokomo, under Colonel C. S.
Parish, March 12, 1864, and served with the
Twenty-third Army Corps.

The One Hundred and Thirty-first Eegi-
ment, or Thirteenth Cavalry, moved from
Indianapolis to the front, under Colonel G.
M. L. Johnson, April 30, 1864.

April, 1864, Governor Morton called for
volunteers to serve one hundred days. In
response to this call:

The One Hundred and Thirty-second Eegi-
ment, under Colonel S. C. Yance, moved
from Indianapolis to the front May 18, 1864.

The One Hundred and Thirty-third Eegi-
ment moved from Eichmond to the front
May 17, 1864, under Colonel E. N. Hudson.

The One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Eegi-
ment, under Colonel James Gavin, moved
from Indianapolis to the front May 25, 1864.

The One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Eegi-
ment, composed of companies from Bedford,
Noblesville and Goshen, and seven companies
from the First Congressional District, entered
the field, under Colonel W. C. Wilson, May
25, 1864.

The One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Eegi-
ment, from the First Congressional District,
moved to the front, nnder Colonel J. W.
Foster, May 24, 1864.

The One Hundred and Thirty-seventh

EISTOBT OF INDIANA.

Eegiment, under Colonel E. J. Kobinson,
moved to the front May 28, 1864.

The One Hundred and Thirty-eiglith Regi-
ment perfected its organization at Indian-
apolis, under Colonel J. II. Shannon, May
27, 1864, and marched immediately to the
front.

The One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regi-
ment was composed of companies from various
counties, and entered the field, under Colonel
George Ilumphrev, in June, 1864.

All these regiments gained distinction on
many fields of battle.

Under the President's call of 1864:

The One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment,
under Colonel Thomas J. Brady, proceeded
to the South November 16, 1864.

The One Hundred and Forty-first Regi-
ment failing to organize, its few companies
were incorporated in Colonel Brady's com-
mand.

The One Hundred and Forty-second Regi-
ment moved to the front from Fort Wayne,
under Colonel I. M. Comparet, in November,
1864.

The One Hundred and Forty-third Regi-
ment reported at Nashville, under Colonel J.
T. Grill, February 21, 1865.

The One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regi-
ment, under Colonel G. W. Riddle, reported
at Harper's Ferry in March, 1865.

The One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regi-
ment, from Indianapolis, under Colonel W.
A. Adams, joined General Steadman at Chat-
tanooga, February 23, 1865.

The One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regi-
ment, under Colonel M. C. "Welch, left In-
dianapolis March 11, 1865, for the Shenan-
doah Valley.

The One Hundred and Forty-seventh Reg-
ment, under Colonel Milton Peden, moved
from Indianapolis to the front March 13,
1865.

The One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regi-
ment, under Colonel N. R. Ruckle, left the
State Capital for Nashville February 28, 1865.

The One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regi-
ment left Indianapolis for Tennessee, under
Colonel W. H. Fairbanks, March 8, 1865.

The One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment,
under Colonel M. B. Taylor, reported for
duty in the Shenandoah Valley March 17,
1865.

The One Hundred and Fifty-first Regi-
ment arrived at Nashville, under Colonel J.
Ilealy, March 9, 1865.

The One Hundred and Fifty-second Regi-
ment organized at Indianapolis, under Col-
onel W. W, Griswold, and left for Harper's
Ferry March 18, 1865.

The One Hundred and Fifty-third Regi-
ment organized at Indianapolis, under Col-
onel O. H. P. Carey, and reported immedi-
ately at Louisville for duty.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regi-
ment left Indianapolis for West Virginia,
under Major Simpson, April 28, 1865.

The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regi-
ment, recruited throughout the State, were
assigned to the Ninth Army Corps in April,
1865.

The One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Bat-
talion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Charles M.
Smith, moved for the Shenandoah Valley
xipril 27, 1865.

All these regiments made a fine record in
the field.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment of Colored
Troops was recruited throughout the State of
Indiana, and placed under command of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Charles S. Russell, who was
subsequently Colonel of the regiment. The
regiment lost heavily at the "Crater," Peters-
burg, but was recruited, and continued to do
good service.

The First Batterv was organized at Evans-

i^ » iP«" ^ «'J"g'

niSTOET OF INDIANA

ville, under Captain Martin Klauss, August
16, 1861, and immediately joined General
Fremont's army; in 1864 Lawrence Jacoby
was promoted to the captaincy of the battery.

The Second Battery, under Captain D. G.
Rubb, was organized at Indianapolis August
9, 1861. This battery saw service in the West.

The Third Battery, under Captain W. W.
Fryberger, organized at Connersville August
2-1:, 1861, and immediately joined Fremont's
com maud.

The Fourth Battery recruited in La Porte,
Porter and Lake counties, and reported to
(ieneral Buell early in 1861. It was first
commanded by Captain A. K. Bush, and re-
organized in October, 1864, under Captain
]>. F. Johnson.

The Fifth Battery was furnished by La
Porte, Allen, Whitley and IN'oble counties,
couimanded by Captain Peter Simonson, re-
ported at Louisville November 29, 1861;
during its term it participated in twenty bat-
tles.

The Sixth Battery, under Captain Fred-
erick Behr, left Evansville for the front Octo-
ber 2, 1861.

The Seventh Battery was organized from
various towns: first under Captain Samuel J.
Harris; succeeded by G. li. Shallow and O.
H. Morgan.

Tlie Eighth Battery, under Captain G. T.
Cochran, arrived at the front February 26,
1862, and entered upon its real duties at
Corinth.

Tlie Ninth Battery, under Captain N. S.
Thompson, organized at Indianapolis in Jan-
uary, 1862, and began active duty at Shiloh
in January, 1865; it lost fifty-eight men by
the explosion ot a steamer above Paducah.

The Tenth Battery, under Captain Jerome
B. Cox, left Lafayette, for duty in Kentucky,
in January, 1861.

The Eleventh Battery organized at La Fay-

ette, and left Indianapolis for the front, under
Captain Arnold Sutermeister, December 17,
1861 ; opened fire at Shiloh.

The Twelfth Battery, from Jeffersonville,
perfected organization at Indianapolis, under
Captain G. W. Sterling; reached Nashville
in March, 1862. Captain Sterling resigned
in April, and was succeeded by Captain James
E. White, and he by James A. Dunwoody.

The Thirteenth Battery, under Captain
Sewell Coulson, organized at Indianapolis
during the winter of 1861, and proceeded to
the front in February, 1862.

The Fourteenth Battery, under Captain M.
H. Kidd, left Indianapolis April 11, 1862,
entering the field in Kentucky.

The Fifteenth Battery, under Captain I.
C. II. Von Schlin, left Indianapolis for the
front in July, 1862. The same year it was
surrendered with the garrison at Harper's
Ferry, reorganized at Indianapolis, and again
appeared in tlie field in March, 1862.

The Sixteenth Battery under Captain
Charles A. Naylor, left La Fayette for the
front in June, 1862, and joined Pope's com-
mand.

The Seventeenth Battery organized at In-
dianapolis, under Captain Milton L. Miner,
May 20, 1862; participated in the Gettysburg
battle, and later in all the engagements in
the Shenandoah Valley.

The Eighteenth Battery, under Captain
Eli Lilly, moved to the front in August,
1862, and joined General Eosecrans' army.

The Nineteenth Battery, under Captain S.
J. Harris, left Indianapolis for Kentucky in
August, 1862, and performed active service
until the close of the war.

The Twentieth Battery, under Captain
Frank A. Kose, left the State capital for
the front in December, 1862. Captain Rose
resigned, and was succeeded by Captain
O shorn.

148

HISTORY OP IN-JDTAlfA.

The Twenty-first Battery, under Captain
"W. W. Andrew, left the State capital for
Covington, Kentucky, in September, 1862.

The Twenty-second Battery moved from
Indianapolis to tlie front, Tinder Captain B.
F. Denning, December 15, 1862, and thi-ew
its first shot into Atlanta, where Captain
Denning was killed.

The Twenty-tliird Battery, under Captain
I. II. Myers, took a position at the front in
1862.

The Twenty-fourth Battery, under Captain
J. A. Simms, moved from Indianapolis to the
front in March, 1863, and joined the Army
of the Tennessee.

The Twenty-fifth Battery, under Captain
Frederick C. Sturm, reported at Nashville in
December, 1864.

The Twenty-sixth, or " Wilder's Battery,"
was recrui'^ed at Greensburg in May, 1861,
and became Company " A " of the Seven-
teenth Infantry, with Captain Wilder as Lieu-
tenant-Colonel. Subsequently it was converted
into the " First Independent Battery," and
became known as " Eigby's Battery."

The total number of battles in which the
soldiers of Indiana were engaged for the
maintenance of the Union was 308.

The part which Indiana j^erformed in the
war to maintain the union of the States is
one of which the citizens of the State may
well be proud. In the number of troops
furnished, and in tiie amount of contribu-
tions rendered, Indiana, in proportion to
wealth and population, stands equal to any
of her sister States.

The State records show that 200,000 men
entered the army; 50,000 were organized to
defend the State at home; that the number
of military commissions issued to Indiana
soldiers was 17,114, making a total of 267,-
114: men engaged in military afi'airs during
the war for tlie Union.

FINANCIAL.

In November, 1821, Governor Jennings
convened the Legislature in extra session, to
provide for the payment of interest and a
part of the principal of the public debt,
amounting to $20,000. The state of the
public debt was indeed embarrassing, as the
bonds executed in its behalf had been as-
signed.

This state of aftairs had been brought
about in part by mismanagement of the
State bank, and by speculators. From 181G
to 1821 the people liad largely engaged
in fictitious speculations. Numerous banks,
with fictitious capital, were established; im-
mense issues of paper were made, and the
circulating medium of the country was
increased four-fold in the course of three
years.

This inflation produced the consequences
which always follow such a scheme. Conse-
quently the year 1821 was one of great
financial panic.

In 1822 the nev/ Governor, William Hen-
dricks, took a hopeful view of the situation.
In consequence of good crops and the grow-
ing immigration, everything seemed more
promising.

In 1822-'23 the surplus money was prin-
cijjally invested in home manufactures, which
gave new impetus to the new State. Noah
Noble was Governor of the State from 1831
to 1837, commencing his duties amid peculiar
embarrassments. The crops of 1832 were
short. Asiatic cholera came sweeping along
the Ohio and into the interior of the State, and
the Black Hawk war raged in the Northwest.
All these at once, and yet the work of
internal improvements was actually begun.

The State bank of Indiana was established
January 28, 1834. The act of the Legisla-
ture, by its own terms, ceased to be a law
January 1, 1857. At the time of organization

BISTORT OF IKDtANA

149

the outstanding circulation was $4,208,725,
with a debt, due principally from citizens of
the State, of 66,095,368.

The State's interest in the bank was pro-
cured by issue of State bonds, the last of
which was payable in 1866, the State thus
placing as capital in the bank $1,390,000.

The nominal profits of the bank were
$2,780,604. This constituted a sinking fund
for the payment of the public debt, the ex-
penses of the Commissioners, and for the
cause of common schools.

In 1836 the State bank was doing good
service; agricultural products were abundant,
and markets were good.

In 1843 the State M-as suftering from over
banking;', inflation of the currency and decep-
tive speculation.

Governor Whitcomb, lS43-'49, succeeded
well in maintaining the credit of the State
and effecting a compromise with its creditors,
by which the State public works passed from
the hands of the State to the creditors.

In 1851 a general banking law was adopted,
which again revived speculation and inflation,
wliich culminated in much damage. In 1857
the charter of the State bank expired, and
the large gains of the State in that institu-
tion were directed to the promotion of com-
mon school education.

October 31, 1870, found the State in a
very prosperous condition; there was a sur-
plus in the treasury of $373,249. The re-
ceipts of the . year amounted to $3,605,639,
and the disbursements to $2,943,600, leaving
a balance of $1,035,288. The total debt of
the State in November, 1871, was $3,937,821.

Indiana is making rapid progress in the
various manufacturing industries. She has
one of the largest wagon and carriage manu-
factories in the world, and nearly her entire
wheat product is manufactured into flour
within the State. In 1880 the population

was 1,978,301, and the true valuation of
property in the State for 1880 was $1,584,-
756,802.

IXTEENAL IMPEOVEJIENTS.

This subject began to be agitated as early
as 1818, and continued to increase in favor
until 1830, when the people became much
excited over the question of railroads.

In 1832 the work of internal improvements
fairly commenced. Public roads and canals
were begun during tliis year, the "Wabash and
Erie Canal being the largest undertaking.

During the year 1835 public improvements
were pushed vigorously. Thirty-two miles
of the Wabash and Erie Canal were completed
this year.

During 1830 many other projected works
were started, and in 1837, when Governor
Wallace took the executive chair, he found a
reaction among the people in regard to the
gigantic plans for public improvements. The
people feared a State debt was being incurred
from which they could never be extricated.

The State liad borrowed $3,827,000 for
internal improvements, of which $1,327,000
was for the Wabash and Erie Canal, the re-
mainder for other works.

The State had annually to pay $200,000
interest on the public debt, and the revenue
derived which could be thus applied amounted
to only $45,000 in 1838.

In 1839 all work ceased on these improve-
ments, with one or two exceptions, and the
contracts were surrendered to the State, in
consequence of an act of the Legislature pro-
viding for the compensation of contractors
by the issue of treasury notes.

In 1840 the system of improvements em-
braced ten different works, the most impor-
tant of which was the Wabash and Erie
Canal. The aggregate length of the lines
embraced in this system v,-as 1,289 miles,

BISTORT OF INDIANA.

aiul of this only 140 miles Lad been com-
pleted.

lu 1840 the State debt amounted to $18,-
469,146; her resources for payment were
such as to place her in an unfavorable liglit
before the world, but be it recorded to her
credit, she did not repudiate, as some other
States of the Union have done. In 1850, the
State having abandoned public improve-
ments, private capital and enterprise pushed
forward public work, and although the caiuil
has served its day and age, and served it well,
yet Indiana has one of the finest systems of
water-ways of any State in the Union, and
her railroad facilities compare favorably with
the majority of States, and far in advance of
many of her elder sisters in the family of
States. lu 1884 there were 5,521 miles of
railroad in operation in the State, and new
roads being built and projected where the
demand justified.

In 1869 the development of mineral re-
sources in the State attracted considerable
attention. Near Brooklyn, twenty miles from
Indianapolis, is a fine sandstone formation,
yielding an unlimited quantity of the best
building material. The limestone formation
at and surrounding Gosport is of great va-
riety, including some of the best building
stone in the world.

Men of enterprise worked hard and long
to induce the State to have a survey made to
determine tlio quality and extent of the min-
eral resources of the State.

In 1869 Professor Edward T. Cox was ap-
pointed State Geologist, to M'hom the citizens
of Indiana are indebted for the exhaustive
report on minerals, and the agrrcultural as
well as manufacturing resources of the State.

The coal measures, says Professor Cox,
cover an area of 6,500 sqiiare miles, in tlic

southwestern part of the State, and extend
from Warren County on the north to the
Ohio River on the south, a distance of 150
miles, comprising the counties of Warren,
Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay,
Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin,
Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Vanderburg, War-
wick, Spencer, Perry and a portion of Craw-
ford, Monroe, Putnam and Montgomery.

This coal is all bituminous, but is divis-
able into three well-marked varieties; cak-
ing coal, non-caking coal, or block coal, and
cannel coal. The total depth of the seams
or measures is from 600 to 800 feet. The
caking coal is in the western portion of the
area described, ranging from three to eleven
feet in thickness. The block coal prevails in
the eastern pa; t of the field, and has an area
of 450 square miles; this coal is excellent in
its raw state for making pig-iron.

The great Indiana coal field is within 150
miles of Chicago or Michigan City by rail-
road, from which ports the valuable Superior
iron ores are loaded from vessels that run
direct from the ore banks.

Of the cannel coal, one of the finest seams
to be found in the country is in Daviess
County, this State. Here it is three and a
half feet thick, underlaid by one and a half
feet of block caking coal. Cannel coal is also
found in great abundance in Perry, Greene,
Parke and Fountain counties.

Numerous deposits of bog-iron ore arc
found in the northern part of the State, and
clay iron-stones and impure carbonates are
found scattered in the vicinity of the coal
field. In some places the deposits are oi
considerable commercial value. An abund-
ance of excellent lime is also found in Indi-
ana, especially in Huntington County, where
it is manufactured extensively.

In 1884 the number of bushels of lime
burned in the State were 1,244,508; lime-

ET8T0BT OF INDIAlifA.

stone quarried for building purposes, 6,012,-
110 cubic feet; cement made, 362,014
bushels; sandstone quarried, 768,376 cubic
feet; gravel sold, 502,115 tons; coal mined,
1,722,089 tons; value of mineral products in
the State for the year 1884, $2,500,000;
value of manufactured products same year,
$163,851,872; of agricultural products,
$155,085,663. Total value of products in
the State for the year 1884, $321,437,535.

AGEICULTDEAL.

In 1852 tlie Legislature authorized the
organization of county and district agricult-
ural societies, and also established a State
Eoard of Agriculture, and made suitable pro-
visions for maintaining the same, the hold-
ing of State fairs, etc.

In 1873 suitable buildings were erected at
Indianapolis, for a State exposition, which
was formally opened September 10, of that
year. The exhibits there displayed showed
that Indiana was not behind her sister States
in agriculture as well as in many other in-
dustrial branches.

As stated elsewhere in this work, the value
of agricultural products in the State for the
year 1884 amounted to $155,085,663.

In 1842 Henry Ward Beecher resided in
Indianapolis, and exercised a power for good
aside from his ministerial work. He edited
the Indiana Farmer and Gardener, and
through that medium wielded an influence
toward organizing a society, which was ac-
complished that year. Among Rev. Beech-
er's co-laborers were Judge Coburn, Aaron
Aldridge, James Sigarson, D. V. CuUey,
Eeuben Ragan, Stephen Hampton, Cornelius
Eatlift", Joshua Lindley, Abner Pope and
many others. The society gave great en-
couragement to the introduction of new va-
rieties of fruit, but the sudden appearance of
noxious insects, and the want of shipping

facilities, seriously held in check the advance
of horticulture in accordance with the desires
of its leaders.

In 1860 there was organized at Indianap
olis the Indiana Pomological Society, with
Reuben Ragan as President, and William II.
Loomis as Secretary.

From tliis date interest began to expand,
but, owing to the M-ar, but little was done,
and in January, 1864, the title of the society
was changed to that of the Indiana Horticult-
ural Society.

The report of the society for 1868 shows
for the first time a balance in the treasury of
$61.55.

The society has had a steady growth, and
produced grand results throughout the State,
the product of apples alone in the State for
the year 1884 being 4,181,147 bushels.

EDUCATION.

The subject of education is the all-impor-
tant subject to any and all communities,
and the early settlers of Indiana builded
greater than they then knew, when they laid
the foundation for future growth of the edu-
cational facilities in the State.

To detail the educational resources, its ac-
complishments from its incipiency to the
present date, would require a number of
large volumes; but as space in this work will
not permit, and as the people have access to
annual State reports of the school system in
detail, we will here give only the leading
features and enormous growth, as well as
flourishing condition of Indiana's school sys-
tem to the present time.

The free-school system was fully established
in 1852, which has resulted in placing Indi-
ana in the lead of this great nation in ed-
ucational progress. In 1854 the available
common school fund consisted of the congres-
sional township fund, the surplus revenue

fund, the saline fund, the bank tax fund and
miscellaneous fund, amounting in all to
82,460,600.

This amount was increased from various
sources, and entrusted to the care of the sev-
eral counties of the State, and by them loaned
to citizens of the county in sums not exceed-
ing $300, secured by real estate.

In 1880 the available school fund derived
from all sources amounted to $8,974,455.55.

In 1884 there were in the State children
of school age, 722,846. Number of white
children in attendance at school during the
year, 461,831; number of colored children in
school during the year, 7,285; total attend-
ance, 469,116 ; number of teachers employed,
13,615, of whom 145 were colored.

And lastly we are pleased to say that In-
diana has a larger school fund than any other
State in the Union. The citizens may well
be proud of their system of schools, as well as
the judicious management of its funds, which
have been steadily increased, notwithstand-
ing the rapid increase of population, which
has demande(5 an increased expenditure in
various ways, which have all been promptly
met, and the educational facilities steadily
enlarged where any advancement could be
made.

In 1802 Congress granted lands and a
charter to the people residing at Vinceunes,
for the erection and maintenance of a semi-
nary of learning; and five years thereafter an
act incorporating the Vincennes University
asked the Legislature to appoint a Board of
Trustees and empower them to sell a town-
ship of land in Gibson County, granted by
Congress for the benefit of the university.
The sale of the land was slow and the pro-
ceeds small; the members of the board were
apathetic, and failing to meet, the institution
fell out of existence and out of memory.

In 1820 the State Legislature passed an

act for a State University. Bloomington
was selected as the site for locating the insti-
tution. The buildings were completed and
the institution formally opened in 1825.
The name was changed to that of the " In-
diana Academy," and subsequentlj', in 1828,
to the " Indiana College." The institution
prospered until 1854, when it was destroyed
by fire, and 9,000 volumes, with all the
apparatus, were consumed. The new col-
lege, with its additions, was completed in
1873, and the routine of studies continued.

The university may now be considered
on a fixed basis, carrying out the intention
of the president, who aimed at scholarship
rather than numbers. The university re-
ceives from the State annually $15,000, and
promises, with the aid of other public grants
and private donations, to vie with any other
State university within the republic.

In 1862 Congress passed an act granting
to each State for college purposes public
lands to the amount of 30,000 acres for each
Senator and Representative in Congress. In-
diana having in Congress at that time thir-
teen members, became entitled to 390,000
acres; but as there was no Congress land in
the State at that time, scrip was instituted,
under the conditions that the sum of the
proceeds of the lands should be invested in
Government stocks, or other equally safe
investment, drawing not less than five per
centum on the par value of said stock,
the principal to stand undiminished. The
institution to be thus founded was to teach
agricultural and the mechanical arts as its
leading features. It was further provided
by Congress that should the principal of the
fund be diminished in any way, it should be
replaced by the State to which it belongs,
so that the capital of the fund shall remain
forever undiminished; and further, that in
order to avail themselves of the benefits of

BISTORT OF INDIANA.

this act, States must comply with the pro-
visos of the act within live years after it
became a law, viz., to erect suitable buildings
for such school.

March, 1865, the Legislature accepted of
the national gift, and appointed a board
of trustees to sell the land. The amount
realized from land sales was $212,238.50,
which sum was increased to $400,000.

May, 1869, John Purdue, of La Fayette,
offered $150,000, and Tippecanoe County
$50,000 more, and the title of the institu-
tion was established — "Purdue University."

Donations were also made by the Battle
Ground Institute, and the Institute of the
Methodist Episcopal church.

The building was located on a 100-acre
tract, near Cliauncey, which Purdue gave in
addition to his magnificent donation, and to
which eighty-six and one half acres more
have since .been added. The university was
formally opened March, 1874, and has made
rapid advances to the present time.

The Indiana State Normal School was
founded at Terre Haute in 1870, in accord-
ance with the act of the Legislature of that
year.

The principal design of this institution was
to prepare thorough and competent teachers
for teaching the schools of the State, and the
anticipations of its founders have been fully
realized, as proven by the able corjDS of
teachers annually graduating from the insti-
tution, and entering upon their responsible
missions in Indiana, as well as other States
of the Union.

The Northern Indiana Kormal School and
Business Institute, at Valparaiso, was organ-
ized in September, 1873. The school occu-
pied the building known as the Valparaiso
Male and Female College building. This
institution has had a wonderful growth; the
first year's attendance was tliirty-five. At

this time every State in the Union is repre-
sented, the number enrolled being over 3,000.
All branches necessary to qualify students for
teaching, or engaging in any line of buei-
ness, are taught. The Commercial College
connected with tlie school is of itself a great
institution.

In addition to the public schools and State
institutions there are a number of denomi-
national and private schools, some of which
have a national as well as a local reputa-
tion.

Notre Dame University, near South Bend,
is the most noted Catholic institution in the
United States. It was founded by Father
Sorin, in 1842. It has a bell weighing
13,000 pounds, the largest in the United
States, and one of the finest in the world.

The Indiana Asbury University, at Green-
castle, Methodist, was founded in 1835.

Howard College, not denominational, is
located at Kokomo; founded in 1869.

Union Christian College, Christian, at
Merom, was organized in 1858.

Moore's Hill College, Methodist, at Moore's
Hill, was founded in 1854.

Earlliam College, at liichmond, under
the management of the Orthodox Friends,
was founded in 1859.

Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, under
Presbyterian management, was founded in
1834.

Concordia College, Lutheran, at Fort
Wayne, was founded in 1850.

Hanover College, Presbyterian, was found-
ed at Hanover in 1833.

Hartsville University, United Brethren,
was founded at Hartsville in 1854.

Northwestern Christian University, Dis-
ciples, is located at Irvinton; organized in
1854.

All these institutions are in a flourishing
condition.

154

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

\\\

Di^

BENEVOLENT AND PENAL INSTITCTIONS.

By the year 1830 the influx of paupers
and invalid persons was so great as to demand
legislation tending to make provisions for
tlie care of such persons. The Legislature
was at first slow to act on the matter. At
the present time, however, there is no State
in the Union which can boast a better system
of benevolent institutions.

In behalf of the blind, the first efibrt was
made by James M. Ray in 1846. Through
his eflbrts William H. Churchman came
from Kentucky with blind pupils, and gave
exhibitions in Mr. Beecher's church in Indi-
anapolis. These entertainments were attended
by members of the L^islature, and had the
desired effect. That body passed an act for
founding an institution for the blind in 1847.
The buildings occupy a space of eight acres
at the State capital, and is now in a flourish-
ing condition.

Tlie first to awaken an interest in the State
for the deaf and dumb was William Willard,
himself a mute, who visited Indianapolis in
1843. He opened a school for mutes on his
own account with sixteen pupils. The next
year tlie Legislature adopted this school as a
a State institution, and appointed a board of
trustees for its management. The present
buildings were completed in 1850, situated
east of the city of Indianapolis. The grounds
comprise 105 acres, devoted to pleasure
grounds, agriculture, fruits, vegetables, flowers
and pasture.

The question in regard to taking action in
the matter of providing for the care of the
insane, began to be agitated in 1832-"83. Iso
definite action was taken, however, until 1844,
when a tax was levied, and in 1845 a com-
mission was appointed to obtain a site for a
building. Said commission selected Mount
Jackson, near the State capitol.

The Legislature of 1846 instructed the

commission to proceed to construct a suitable
building. Accordingly, in 1847, the central
building was completed at a cost of $75,000.

Other buildings have been erected from
time to time, as needed to accommodate the
increased demand, and at the present time
Indiana has an institution for the insane
equal to any in the West.

The State hospital not afl'ordiiig sufficient
accommodations for her insane, March 7,
1883, an act providing for the location and
erection of " Additional Hospitals for the
Insane " was passed by the Legislature, and
March 21 commissioners were appointed.
After careful consideration three sites were
located, one at Evansville, one at Logansport
and one at Richmond, called respectively the
Southern, Northern and Eastern hospitals.
The Southern Indiana Hospital for Insane is
located four miles east of Evansville, and is
built on the corridor plan. The buildings
are situated near the center of the hospital
domain, which consists of 160 acres of highly
improved land. The structure proper con-
sists of a central oblong block, which is prac-
tically the vestibule of the entire hospital.
From the first floor and the two galleries
above, entrance is had into the four lateral
wings. The total capacity is 162 patients.
This building has been erected at a cost of
$391,887.49.

The Korthern Indiana Hospital for the
Insane is located a mile and a half west of
Logansport, on a tract of land including 281
acres, lying on the south bank of the Wabash
River, and is built on the pavilion plan. At
the center of the ridge, in the maple grove, is
situated the administration house. This is
flanked on each side by tire pavilions, ar-
ranged in a straight line, which are intended
and designed for the accommodation of the
sick and infirm. On either side of the above
named group, 205 feet distant, are located

HISTORY OF INDIANA.

two pavilions, alike in every particular, in-
tended for quiet patients. This hospital has
a capacity for 342 patients, and was erected
at a cost of $417,992.98.

The Eastern Indiana Hospital for the In-
sane is located on a tract of 306 acres, two
miles west of Richmond, and is constructed
on the cottage plan. The buildings, seven-
teen in number, are arranged in and around
three sides of a quadrangle, 1,000 feet long,
by 700 feet broad, near the center of the
farm, the third, or northern side, being closed
in by a grove. The southern front contains
the administration house; the eastern front,
five houses for female patients, and the west-
ern front, similar houses for male patients.
This hospital has a capacity of 448 patients,
and was erected at a cost of §409,867.88.

The first penal institution established in
the State, known as the State Prison South,
is located at Jeifersouville. It was estab-
lished in 1821, and was the only prison un-
til 1859. Before this prison was established,
it was customary to resort to the old-time
punishment of the whipping-post. For a
time the prisoners were hired to contractors ;
later, they were employed constructing new
prison buildings, which stand on si.xteen
acres of ground. From 1857 to 1871, they
were employed manufacturing wagons and
farm implements. In 1871 the Southwestern
Car Company leased of the State all convicts
capable of performing labor pertaining to the
manufacture of cars. This business ceased to
be profitable to the company in 1873, and in
1876 all the convicts were again idle.

In 1859 the Legislature passed an act
authorizing the construction of a State
prison in the north part of the State, and ap-
propriated $50,000 for that purpose: Michi-
gan City, on Lake Michigan, was the site
selected, and a large number of convicts from
the prison South, were moved to that point

and began the work which has produced one
of the best prisons in the country. It difi'ers
widely from the Southern, in so much as its
sanitary condition has been above the average
of similar institutions.

The prison reform agitation, which in this
State attained telling proportions in 1869,
caused a legislative measure to be brought
forward which would have a tendency to
ameliorate the condition of female convicts.

The Legislature of 1873 voted $50,000
for the erection of suitable buildings, which
was carried into effect, and the building de-
clared ready in September, 1873, located at
the State capital, and known as the Indiana
Heformatory Institution for "Women and
Girls. To this institution all female con-
victs in other prisons in the State were im-
mediately reinoved, and the institution is
one of the most commendable for good re-
sults to be found in any State.

In 1867 the Legislature appropriated $50,-
000, for the purpose of founding an institu-
tion for the correction and reformation of
juvenile offenders. A Board of Control was
appointed by the Governor, who assembled
in Indianapolis, April 3, 1867, and elected
Charles F. Coffin as President. Governor
Baker selected the site, fourteen miles from
Indianapolis, near Plainfield, where a fertile
farm of 225 acres was purchased.

January 1, 1868, a few buildings were
ready to receive occupants; the main build-
ing was completed in 1869. Everything is
constructed upon modern principles, ' and
with a view to health and comfort. The in-
stitution is in a prosperous condition, and
the good eflects of the training received there
by the young well repays the tax-payers, in
the way of improving society and elevating
the minds of those who would otherwise be
wrecked on life's stream befoi'e attaining to
years of maturity.

^ v..t

'^sS^^m^^yi^A

Prominent Men of Indiana.

■2^i^i^^i^^

■^^

"^J.U/^

'^U^

OLIVER PEIUIT MORTON.

LIVEE PEERT MOE-
TOX, the War Governor
of Indiana, and one of
the most eminent United
States Senators, was born
j-,,^ '2^'<>2 in Salisbury, Wayne
-^ County, til is State, August 4,
1823. The name, which is of
_. ,,. ^ English origin, was originally
'o'lSj^ Throckmorton. When young Oli-
^ iTvO" ^^''' ^^came a lad he attended the
l\^(^ academy of Professor Hoshour at
Q_^'j\^ Centreville, in his native county,
r" \) but could not continue long there,
as the family was too poor to defray his
expenses. At the age of fifteen, therefore,
he was placed with anolder brother to learn
the hatter's trade, at which he worked four
years. Determining then to enter the pro-
fession of law, he began to qualify himself by
attending the Miami University, in 1843,
where he remained two years. Eeturning to
Centreville, he entered the study of law
with the late Judge Newman. Succeeding
well, he soon secured for himself an inde-
pendent practice, a good clientage, and rapidly
I'ose to prominence. In 1852 he was elected
circuit judge; but at the end of a year he
resigned, preferring to practice as an advocate.
Up to 1854 Mr. Morton was a Democrat
in his party preferences; but the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise caused him to

secede, and join the incoming Republican
party, in which he became a leader from its
beginning. lie was a delegate to the Pitts-
burg Convention in 1856, where he so ex-
hibited his abilities that at the next Repub-
lican State Convention he was nominated for
Governor against Ashbel P. Willard, the
Democratic nominee. His party being still
young and in the minority, was defeated;
but Mr. Morton came out of the contest with
greatly increased notoriety and popularity.

In 1860 Judge Morton received the nomi-
nation for Lieutenant-Governor of Indiana,
on the ticket with Henry S. Lane, and they
were elected; but only two days after their
inauguration Governor Lane was elected to
the United States Senate, and Mr. Morton
became Governor. It was while filling this
position that he did his best public work,
and created for himself a fame as lasting as
the State itself. He opposed all compromise
with the Rebellion, and when the Legislature
passed a joint resolution providing for the
appointment of peace commissioners, he
selected men who were publicly known to
be opposed to any compromise.

During the dark and tedious days of the
war, in 1864, Governor Morton defeated Jo-
seph E. McDonald, in the race for Governor,
by a majority of 20,883 votes. The next
summer lie had a stroke of partial paralysis,
from which he never fully recovered. The

disease so aifected the lower part of his body
and his limbs, that he was never afterward
able to walk without the assistance of canes;
but otherwise he enjoyed a high degree of
physical and mental vigor. In December
following he made a voyage to Europe, where
he consulted eminent physicians and received
medical treatment, but only partially recov-
ered. In March, 1866, he returned to the
executive chair to resume his official duties.

In January, 1867, Governor Morton was
elected to the United States Senate, being
succeeded in his State duties by Lieutenant-
Governor Baker. In 1873 Senator Morton
was re-elected, and he continued a member
of that body while he lived. In that position
Mr. Morton ranked among the ablest states-
men, was one of the four or five chiefs of his
party, and, being Chairman of the Committee
on Privileges and Elections, he did more in
determining the policy of the Senate and of
the Kepublican party than any other member
of the Senate. It was during this period that
the many vexed questions of the reconstruc-
tion period came up, and with reference to all
of them he favored radical and repressive
measures in dealing with the rebellious States.

In the spring of 1877 Senator Morton
went to Oregon as Chairman of a Senate
Committee to investigate the election of Sen-
ator Grover, of that State, and while there he
delivered, at Salem, the last political speech
of his life. During his return, by way of
San Francisco, he suffered another paralytic
stroke, and he was brought East on a special
car, taken to the residence of his mother-in-
law, Mrs. Burbanks, at Richmond, this State,
and passed the remainder of his days there,
dying November 1, 1877. The death of no
man, with the exception of that of President
r>incoln, ever created so much grief in Indi-
ana as did that of Senator Morton. The
lamentation, indeed, was national. The Presi-

dent of the United States directed the flags
on public buildings to be placed at half-mast,
and also that the Government departments
be closed on the day of the funeral. The re-
mains of the great statesman were interred
at the spot in Crown Hill Cemetery where
he stood on Soldiers' Decoration Day, in
May, 1876, when he delivered a great speech
to a large assemblage. Never before did so
many distinguished men attend the funeral
of a citizen of Indiana.

Personally, Senator Morton was character-
ized by great tenacity of purpose and shrewd
foresight. Taking his aim, he ceased not
until he attained it, without compromise and
without conciliation, if not by the means first
adopted, then by another. As Governor of
Indiana he exhibited wonderful energy, tact
and forethought. He distanced all other
Governors in putting troops in the field, and
he also excelled them all in providing for their
wants while there. His State pride was in-
tense, and in respect to tlie general character
of the people of his State he brought Indiana
"out of the wilderness" to the front, since
which time the Hoosier State has been more
favorably known. In the great civil war
which tried the mettle and patriotism of the
people, Indiana came to the front under his
guidance, yea, to the forei'ront of the line.
As a legislator, he originated and accom-
plished much, being naturally, as well as by
self-discipline, the most aggressive, bold and
clear-headed Eepublican politician of his
time. He was also well versed in the sciences,
especially geology; and even in theology he
knew more than many whose province it is
to teach it, although he was not a member of
any church.

A statue of Senator Morton is placed in
one of the public parks at Indianapolis by
the contributions of a grateful common-
wealth.

?-
^^p^

•^- <^ H<^^^^-AA^y.xyn2

'TMOMAS A. HENDRICKS.

nOMAS ANDREWS
HENDRICKS, elected
Vice-President of the
United States in 1884,
was born in Musking-
um County, Oliio, near
the city of Zanesville, Septem-
ber 7, 1819. The following
spiing the family moved to
Madison, this State, and in
1S22 to Shelby County, where
they opened up a farm in a
spaisely settled region near the
center of the county. It was
here that Thom.as grew to man-
hood. After the completion of
his education at Hanover College he studied
law in the office of his uncle. Judge Thomson,
at Chanibersburg, Pennsylvania, and in due
time was admitted to the bar.

In 1848 he was elected to the Legislature;
in 1850, to the convention which framed the
present Constitution of the State, being an
active participant in the deliberations of that
body; in 1851 and 1852, to Congress; in
1855, was appointed Commissioner of the

General Land Office, which he resigned in
1859; 1863-'69, United States Senator; 1872-
'77, Governor of Indiana; and finally, July 12,
1884, he was nominated by tlie Democratic
National Convention at Chicago a-; second on
the ticket with Grover Cleveland, which was
successful in the ensuing campaign; but a
few days before he should begin to serve as
Speaker of the Senate, November, 1885, he
suddenly died at his home in Indianapolis.

Going back for particulars, we should state
that in 1860 he was candidate for Governor
of Indiana against Henry S. Lane, and was
defeated by 9,757 votes, while the Repub-
lican majority of the State on the national
ticket was 23,524, showing his immense
popularity. Again, in 1868, Conrad Baker
defeated him by 1,161 votes, when Grant's
majority over Seymour in the State was
9,579, and this, too, after he had so bitterly
opposed the policy of Lincoln's administration,
and thereby lost from his constituency luaiiy
Union sympathizers. And finally, in 1872,
his majority for Governor over General
Thomas M. Brown was 1,148; the same year
Grant's majority in the State over Greeley

'M^MMllMMWgl^ !

PBOMISEKT MEX OF IXDIANA.

was 22,924. Governor Hendricks was the
only man elected on his ticket that year,
excepting Professor Hopkins, who was chosen
to a non-political office.

In 1876 Governor Hendricks was a con-
spicious candidate for the Presidency, being
the favorite of the Western Democracy; but
the East proved too powerful, and nominated
Tilden, giving Hendricks the second place on
the national ticket, thereby strengthening it
greatly in the "West.

During the intervals of official life, Mr.
Hendricks practiced law with eminent suc-
cess, being equally at home before court or
jury, and not easily disturbed by unforeseen
turns in a case. He had no specialty as an
advocate, being alike efficient in the civil and
criminal court, and in all kinds and forms of
actions. "When out of office his voice was
frequently heard on the political questions of
the day. Indiana regarded him with pride,
and among a large class he was looked upon
as the leader of the Democracy of the "West.
His adherents rallied around him in 1880,
and his name was again prominent for the
Presidential nomination, and might have
been carried were it not for the opposition of
the friends of Mr. McDonald.

As his views on governmental affairs were
critical, definite and positive, he had many
political enemies, but none of them have ever
charged him with malfeasance in offi.ce, or
incompetency in any of his public positions.
He was a man of convictions, conservative,
eloquent in public address, careful of his
utterances, and exceedingly earnest.

Mr. Hendricks belonged to a family noted
in the history of Indiana. His uncle, "Will-
iam Hendricks, was secretary of the conven-
tion that formed the first Constitution of the
State; was Indiana's first Eepresentative in
Congress, her second Governor, and for two
full terms represented it in the Senate of the
United States. A cousin, John Abram Hen-
dricks, fell at the battle of Pea Eidge while
leading his regiment against the enemy; and
another cousin, Thomas Hendricks, was
killed in the Teche country while serving in
the Union army. Mr. Hendricks' father was
an elder in the Presbyterian church, and he
himself %yas baptized and brought up under
the auspices of that denomination. He never
joined any church until 1867, when he
became a member of the Protestant Epis-
copal church, retaining his Calvinistic views.
In person Mr. Hendricks was five feet nine
inches high, weighed about 185 pounds; his
eyes gray, hair of a sandy hue, nose largo
and prominent, complexion fair and inclined
to freckle, and his mouth and chin were
expressive of determination and tenacity.
He wore no beard except a little near the ear.
He was a man of good habits, health good,
step firm and prompt, and voice resonant and
steady.

After his nomination for the Yice-Prcsi-
dency he took an active part in the campaign,
delivering a number of powerful addresses,
and while waiting for his term of official
service to begin, death ended his days and
cast an indescribable shade of gloom over his
family. State and nation.

>^'

8CHUTLER COLFaS.

ffV^^

W SCHUYLER COLFAX, ii

^^^t/^'M»^^»####^«i'^##^'i > ^ '<W - « »« »^ ^,

'HIS eminent statesman
was born in New York
Citj, March 23, 1823,
the only son of his
widowed inother; was
taught in the common
schooL of tlie city, finished his
education at a high-school on
Ci'Obby street, and at ten years
of age he had received all the
school t''aining he e\er had.
Alter clerking in a store for
three years, he removed to In-
diana with his mother and
V^V\^ stepfather, Mr. Mathews, set-
^ ^ tling in St. Joseph Connty.

Here, in the village of New Carlisle, the
j^oiith served four years more as clerk in
a store; then, at the age of seventeen years,
he was appointed deputy county auditor,
and to fulfill his duties he moved to the
county seat. South Bend, where he remained
a resident until his death.

Like almost every Western citizen of
any mental activity, young Colfax took
a practical hold of political matters about
as soon as he could vote. He talked and
thought, and began to publish his views,
from time to time, in the local newspaper of
the place. His peculiar faculty of dealing

fairly, and at the same time pleasantly, with
men of all sorts, his natural sobriety and
common sense, and his power of stating
things plainly and correctly, made him a
natural newspaper man. He was employed
during several sessions of the Legislature, to
report the proceedings of the Senate for the
Indianapolis Journal, and in this position
made many friends. In 1845 he became
proprietor and editor of the St. Joseph Val-
ley Eegister, the South Bend newspaper,
which then had but 250 subscribers; but
the youthful editor had hope and energy, and
after struggling through many disappoint-
ments, including the loss of his ofiice by fire,
he succeeded in making a comfortable living
out of the enterprise.

Mr- Colfax was a Whig so long as that
party existed. In 1848 he was a delegate to
the convention which nominated General
Taylor for President, and was one of the sec-
retaries of that body. The next year he was
a member of the State Constitutional Con-
vention, being elected thereto from a Demo-
cratic district. Soon afterward he was
nominated for the State Senate, but declined
because he could not be spared from his busi-
ness. His first nomination for Congress was
in 1851, but was beaten by 200 votes, which
was less than the real Democratic majority

1^0

Prominent mmn of Indiana.

in his district. His successful competitor
was Dr. Graham N. Fitch, who, along wi^-h
Mr. Bright, became so conspicuous in the
^ujiport of Buchanan. In 1852 he was a
delegate to the Whig National Convention
that nominated General Scott, and was again
secretary.

Franklin Pierce, the Democratic nominee,
was elected President, and during his term
the Wliig party was dissolved upon the issue
of slavery, and, naturally enough, Mr. Colfax
drifted m with the party of freedom. So did
the people of his Congressional district; for,
after having given their Democratic repre-
sentative 1,000 majority two years before,
tliey now nominated and elected Mr. Colfax
to succeed him by about 2,000 majority.

The Congress towhicli he was thus elected
is noted for the tedious struggle in the elec-
tion of a Speaker of the House, resulting,
February 2, 1856, in the choice of N. P.
Banks. Mr. Colfax, who was second in the
race for the Speakership, exhibited wonderful
parliamentary tact in staving off the South-
erners, who at times seemed on the point ot
success. As to parties at this time, they
■were considerably broken np, comprising
"Anti-Nebraska" (Eepublican), Democrats,
Know-Nothings and nondescripts. During
tliis and the succeeding Congress, to which
Mr. Colfax was elected, he delivered several
telling speeches, some of which were printed

almost by the million and distributed tu
the voters throughout the North. These
speeches were full of solid facts and figures
with reference to the Pro-Slavery party,
especially in Kansas, so that, by a sort of
play upon his name, the people often re-
ferred to him as "Cold-facts."

In 1860 Mr. Colfax was elected to Con-
gress the third time, and in 1862 the fourth
time. In December, 1863, he was chosen
Speaker of the House, which position he re-
tained to the end of the term for which
Lincoln and Johnson were elected, exhib-
iting pre-eminent jiarliamentary skill and
an obliging disposition. Equally polite to
all, he was ever a gentleman worthy of the
highest honor.

The favorable notoriety gained by his
" cold facts " against slavery, parliamentary
ability, his power of debate, and his suavity
of manner, led the Eepublican party in IStls
to place him on the national ticket, secf.nd
only to the leading soldier of the Union,
U. S. Grant. Being elected, he served as
President of the Senate with characteristic
ability throughout his term. Then, retiring
from political life, he devoted the remaining
years of his life to lectures upon miscella-
neous topics; and it was during a lecturing
tour in Minnesota that he was stricken down
v,'ith his final illness. He died at Mankato,
that State, January 13, 1885.

^[f

V -

(7^

JAMES D. WILLIAMS.

•>>aAMES D. WILLIAMS.

t^iSn'iSn>ii^i&i't&?(Sg>B^O

^it'^'^Si^^i^^'mt's^mi'

ERE ■we have present-
3d a practical illustra-
tion of the type of man
pi educed by a young
and vigorons republic,
wlucb had, but a few
■5 ears preceding his
buth, a-^&eited, with justice, and
successful]) maintained, her claim
to assume her rightful position as
one of the nations of the earth.
James D.Williams was born in
Pickaway County, Ohio, January
8, 1808, soon after that State had
assumed her place among that
galaxy of stars destined to become tlie great-
est nation in the world.

In cliildhood he removed with his parents
to Knox County, Indiana, where he received
a common-school education, and grew to
manhood a tiller of the soil.

He entered the theater of life at a time
when the stage scenery was of the most
gigantic grandeur ever beheld by the eye of
man. Nature in her stupendous splendor
was around and about the young actor, and
he readily imbibed the spirit of his sur-
roundings, and was filled with enthusiastic
hope for tlie future greatness of the vast and
beautiful conntry, which but awaited the call
of the husbandman to answer in bountiful

harvests to his many demands. With young
Williams the grandeur of the scene tilled his
soul with a hopeful determination to act
well his part in the great drama before him,
as the reader will find wJiile following him
down life's pathway.

Wlien he attained to manhood he engaged
in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and
became widely known as a practical and suc-
cessful Indiana farmer.

He had closely observed the passing events
in tlie clash and conflict of political parties,
and his fellow citizens saw in him the qual-
ified elements of a representative man, and
he was frequently elected as a Democrat to
represent his county in the Lower House of
the Legislature, M'here he discharged the
duties devolving upon him with marked
ability and even beyond the expectations of
his constituents. The sagacity and ability
with which he dealt with public measures
in the Lower House opened the avenue to
higher honors and more weighty responsi-
bilities.

In 1859 he was elected to the State Senate,
where he continuously served his constitu-
ency until 1867, maintaining the reputation
he had gained in the LoM'er House for ability
and the faithful performance of duty, and
still developing a capacity for a wider field
of operations.

PROMINENT MEN OF INDIANA.

He was not permitted to long live in the
home life which he so much enjoyed. The
able and faithful manner in which he had
discharged his duties as a public servant, his
common sense and social manner, made him
i'riends even among his political opponents,
lie bore honors conferred upon him nobly
but meekly, never ceasing to gratefully re-
member those to whom gratitude was due for
the positions of honor and trust to which
they had called him.

He was destined to spend his life as a
public servant. His fellow citizens again
elected him to the State Senate in 1871, and
in 1874 he was again crowned with higher
honors, and was elected to rejjresent his dis-
trict in the Congress of the United States,
where he displayed the same ability in deal-
ing with public questions that he had in the
legislative body of his State. During his
term in Congress he served in tlie impor-
tant position of chairman of the Committee
on Public Accounts.

He was a prominent and leading member
of the Indiana State Board of Agriculture for
seventeen years, and served as its president
for three years. ISTo one citizen of Indiana
was more deeply interested and active in de-
veloping and promoting the agricultural and
other industrial resources of his State than
lie. One leading feature of his ambition was
to be in the front rank of progress, and to
place his State on a plane with the sister
States of the prosperous Union. He was
equally active in the educational interest of his
fellow citizens, and advocated facilities for
diffusing knowledge among the masses, plac-
ing an education within the reach of children
of the most humble citizen.

He gathered happiness while promoting
the welfare of others, and step by step, year
by year, his friends increased in numbers
und warmed in devotion to their trusted,

faithful and grateful servant. He was rapid-
ly growing in State popularity, as he had
long enjoyed the confidence of his own county
and district, and in his quiet, unassuming
way was building larger than he knew. His
plain manner of dress, commonly " blue
jeans," caused him to become widely known
by the sobriquet of " Blue Jeans," of which
his admirers were as proud as M-ere those of
" Old Hickory " as applied to Andrew Jack-
son, or " Eough and Eeady " as applied to
General Zachariah Taylor.

The civil war had made fearful inroads in
party lines; the public questions to be set-
tled immediately following the close of the
war involved problems which many leading
men, who had previously acted with the
Democratic party, could not solve satisfacto-
rily to themselves from a Democratic stand-
point; hence they cast their fortunes with
the popular party, the Eepublican.

The Democratic party had been impatient
ly but energetically seeking State supremacy.
James D. Williams, so far as tried, had led
the column to success, why not make him
their Moses to lead them to possess the
promised land. State Supremacy?

The centennial anniversary of American
independence, 1876, seemed to them the auspi-
cious period to marshal their forces under an
indomitable leader and go forth to conquer.

They accordingly in that year nominated
the Hon. James D. "Williams for Governor,
and the Eepublicans nominated General Ben-
jamin Harrison, a military hero and a lineal
descendant of General W. II. Harrison. Tlie
contest will stand m history as the most ex-
citing campaign In the political history of
the United States, and resulted in the elec-
tion of the Democratic leader. His services
as Governor of the State were characteristic
of his past public life. He died, full of hon-
ors, on November 20, 1880.

y^^c^^A

ROBERT DALE OWE I,'

■fx>'

M^^^^HHn^^r'T5-? : r^J??^?Hr^H- - r^r^^r- ' =^T^ ' 7Tp7J;:j^

i ^ROBERT DALE OWEN, }^

_^ ^.^^„^ , ^,^-^P-P„^^.^p,^,^^„^^^.^-.p.-j,^^ ^ J

)OKING outside of the
realm of statesmen, we
find that the most emi-
nent citizen of Indi-
ana not now living
^ci,' '' '-'^^-^"* was the learned
Scotchman named at the head of
this sketch. Eobert Owen, his
father, was a great theorist in
social and religious reforms. He
was born in Newtown, Montgom-
eryshire, North AVales, March 14,
1771, where he died November
19, 1858.

He (the father) entered npon a
commercial life at an early age, and subse-
quently engaged in the cotton manufacture
at New Lanark, Scotland, where he introduced
important reforms, having for their object
the improvement of the condition of tlie
laborers in his employ; afterward he directed
his attention to social questions on a broader
scale, publishing in 1812 " New Yiews of
Society, or Essays upon the Formation of the
Human Character," and subsequently the
" Book of the New Moral "World,' ' in which
he advocated doctrines of human equality

and the abolition of class distinctions. Hav-
ing won a large fortune in his business, he
M-as able to give his views a wide circulation,
and his followers became numerous; but,
being outspoken against maiiy of the gen-
erally received theological dogmas of the
time, a zealous opposition was also aroused
against him. After the death of his patron,
the Duke of Kent, he emigrated to this
country, in 1823, and at his own expense
founded the celebrated communistic society
at New Harmony, this State. The scheme
proving a failure he returned to England,
where he tried several similar experiments
with the same result; but in spite of all his
failures he was universally esteemed for his
integrity and benevolence. His later years
were spent in efforts to promote a religion of
reason, and to improve the condition of the
working classes.

His eldest son, the subject of this biographi-
cal sketch, was born in Glasgow, Scotland,
November 7, 1801 ; was educated at Fellens-
berg's College, near Berne, Switzerland ; came
with his father to the United States in 1823,
and assisted him in his efforts to found the
colony of New Harmony. On the failure of

that experiment he visited France and Eng-
land, but returned to this country in 1827
and became a citizen. In 1828, in partner-
ship with Miss Frances Wright, he founded
"The Free Enquirer," a weekly journal de-
voted to socialistic ideas, and to opposition to
the supernatural origin and claims of Chris-
tianity. The paper was discontinued after
an existence of three years. In 1832 he
married Mary Jane Kobinson, of JS'ew York,
who died in 1871. After marriage he settled
again in New Harmony, where for three suc-
cessive years (1835-'38) he was elected a mem-
ber of the Legislature. It was through his
influence that one-half of the surplus revenue
of the United States appropriated to the
State of Indiana was devoted to the support
of public schools. From 1843 to 1847 he
represented the First District of Indiana in
Congress, acting with the Democratic party;
took an active paat in the settlement of the
northwestern boundary question, serving as
a member of the committee of conference on
that subject, and introduced the bill organ-
izing the Smithsonian Institute, and served
for a time as one of the regents. In 1850 he
was a member of the Indiana Constitutional
Convention, in which he took a prominent
part. It was through his efforts that Indiana
conferred independent property rights upon
women. In 1853 he went to Naples, Italy,
as United States Charge cV Affaires, and from
1855 to 1858 he held the position of Min-
ister.

In 1860, in the New York Tribune, he
discussed the subject of divorce with Horace
Greeley, and a pamphlet edition of the con-
troversy afterward obtained a wide circula-
tion.

After the breaking out of the Rebellion,
Mr. Owen was a warm champion of the
policy of emancipation, and the letters which
he addressed to members of the cabinet and

the President on that subject were widely
disseminated. "When the proposition was
made by certain influential politicians to
reconstruct the Union with New England
<' left out in the cold," Mr. Owen addressed
a letter to the people of Indiana exposing
the dangerous character of the scheme,
which the Union Leagues of New York
and Philadelphia published and circulated
extensively. In 1862 he served as a mem-
ber of the Commisson on Ordnance Stores,
and in 1863 was Chairman of the American
Freedmen's Commission, which rendered val-
uable service to the country.

Mr. Owen was a prominent Spiritualist in
his philosophical views, and publislied sev-
eral remarkable works inculcating them.
His mind, in his later years, beginning to
totter, he was often too credulous. He also
published many other works, mostly of a
political nature. To enumerate: he pub-
lished at Glasgow, in 1824, " Outlines of
System of Education at New Lanark ;" at New
York, in 1831, "Moral Physiology;" the
next year, "Discussion with Origen Bachelor
on the Personality of God and the Authentici-
ty of the Bible;" and subsequently, "Pocahon-
tas," an historical drama; " Hints on Public
Architecture," illustrated ; " Footfalls on the
Boundary of Another World," probably his
most wonderful work; "The Wrong of Slav-
ery, and the Right of Freedom;" "Beyond
the Breakers," a novel; "The Debatable
Land between this World and the Next,"
and "Threading My Way," an autobiography.

The giant intellect of Mr. Owen being
linked to a large and tender heart, his sym-
pathies were constantly rasped by witnessing
the boundless but apparently needless amount
of sufi'ering in the world, and chafed by
the opposition of conservatism to all efforts
at alleviation, so that in old age he was liter-
ally worn out. He died at an advanced age.

ENERAL k

. — Jii.'

j.^^^

%^^^^^^

I STORY.

TOPOGRAPHY

EKMILLION, spelled
witli two Z's, is from the
French vermilion,
spelled with one Z, and signi-
iies, according to "Webster, " a
bright red sulplmret of mercury,
^' consisting of sixteen parts of sul-
^\ phur and one hundred parts of
mercury." This substance, he
remarks, is sometimes found na-
^ tive, of a red or brown color, and
is then called cinnabar. Used as
a pigment. The word is a literal
translation of the Miami Indian
word pe-auk-e-shaw, which was given to the
Vermillion Eivers on account of the red earth
or "keel" found along their banks. This
substance was produced by the burning of the
shale overlying the outcrops of coal, the latter
igniting from tlie autumnal tires set by the
aborigines. From the rivers the county was
named.

The position which Vermillion County oc-
cupies in the world can best be indicated by
describing the geodesic situation of Newport,

the county seat, which is near the middle of
the county. This point is 39° 55' north of
the ecjuator of the earth, and therefore the
north star appears to the observer here at that
angle above the horizon. Newport is also
87° 10' west longitude from Greenwich (Lon-
don, England), and railroad standard time,
which is here conformed to that of tlie
ninetieth meridian, is about eleven minutes
slower than local, or sun-time. Newport
is also about 520 feet above the level of the
ocean, and fifty feet above the low- water mark
of the Wabash River opposite.

The beautiful, picturesque scenery of Ver-
million County, Indiana, is equal to that of
any otlier in the State. The modest mean-
derings of the classic old "Wabash, which ever
and anon are hiding their silvery waters away
amid the luxurious foliage of the forest trees,
give to its eastern border a lineal presenta-
tion of romantic beauty such as attracts
universal attention, while the long range of
bench hills which skirt the western boi-der of
this garden valley throw along its railroad
line a continued display of panoramic rural

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

beauty wliich even without any coloring,
might be termed " the lovely valley of the
West." Tlie county, stretching its narrow
length along the river for thirty-seven miles,
is wholly made up of beautiful scenery.

All the minor streams draining Vermillion
County ai-e of course tributary to the Wabash,
and most of them have a general southeasterly
direction. Spring Brancli, or Creek, flows
southwesterly through the northeast corner
of Highland Township. Coal Brancli flows
south near the western border. Big Yer-
niillion River winds southeasterly through
the sonthwest corner of Highland and the
northern portion of Eugene. Little Vermill-
ion River wends its way through t he south-
western corner of Eugene, and empties into
the Wabash near the middle of the east side
of Vermillion Township. Jonathan Creek,
in the western part of Vermillion Township,
flows northeasterly into the Little Vermill-
ion. Bi-ouillet's (pronounced in American
style, IvH-lefs) Creek is wholly in Clinton
Township, running at first southeasterly and
then east, into the Wabash; and the Little
Raccoon Creek, in Helt Township, runs
southeasterly, rather toward the northeastern
corner of the township, into the Wabash be-
tween Highland and Alta.

GEOLOGY.
From one-fourth to one-third of Vermillion
Connty consists of the rich bottoms and ter-
races of the valleys of the Wabash and its
affluents, the Big and Little Vermillion
Rivers and Norton's Creek. The main ter-
race, or " second bottom," is especially de-
veloped in the region between Perrysv'ille
and Newport, a fact probably resulting from
the combined action of the two main tributa-
ries in this county. The terrace is from one
to four miles wide, furnishing a broad stretch
of rich, well drained farming lands, having

an average elevation of about forty feet above
the present (or " first") bottoms. Below
Newport the blnfts approach the r-iver so
closely that the terrace is nearly obliterated,
and the immediate bottoms become very nar-
row. At the mouth of Little Raccoon Creek
the bottoms are considerably widened; but
the terrace has no considerable extent until
we reach the head of Helt Prairie, about si.x
miles north of Clinton, whence it stretches
southward, with an average width of one to
three miles. About three miles below Clin-
ton it narrows again as we approach the
month of Brouillet's Creek and the county
line.

At the first settlement of the country the
bottoms were heavily timbered, but a large
proportion of the terrace was devoid of tim-
ber. We are scarcely permitted to believe
that these timberless tracts were originally
prairie, as, on account of their nature and
fav^orable situation, we should presume tluit
they were grounds cleared and cultivated hy
the same aboriginal race, possibly the Mound-
Builders, for mounds abound in this region,
and the annual tires prevented a re-occupation
by trees or shrubbery.

Rising from the upper bottom lands we
find bhiffs, more or less abrupt, which attain
a general level of 120 to 130 feet above the
river, and form the slightly elevated border
of Grand Prairie. The most gradual ascent
is to the westward from Perrysville, favorable
for the construction of the present railroad.
South of the Big Vermillion the blufl's are
much steeper, where a moderate grade for a
railroad can be found only by tracing one of
the smaller streams. These blufts, being too
steep for cultivation, are still covered with
timber, which consists principally of oak,
hickory, maple and walnut, and toward the
soutiiern end of the county, beech. In many
of the ravines, and along the foot of the blufl's.

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■.■ ^ ■■■ ■ ■■■■■■■■■■■"■"^Hi

INTRODUCTORY.

185

there are large groves of sugar maple. Near
the principal streams this timbered region
extends westward to the State line. The
nortliern and middle portions of the county
are in great part a portion of the Grand
Prairie, which covers all eastern Illinois, from
the forest of the Little Wabash to Lake Mich-
igan.

Yermillion County is singularly blessed
with spj-ings, bursting forth from below the
boulder clay of the drift period. Some of
these springs are very strong.

The alluvium of the river bottoms have the
common features of river deposits. A'egetable
remains are mingled with find sand and mud
washed from the drift beds higher up the
streams, and occasional deposits of small
stones and gravel, derived either from the
drift or from the rock formations into which
the rivers have cut their winding ways. The
only definite knowledge obtained as to the
depth of these beds refers to the prairie be-
tween Eugene and Perrysville, where wells
have been sunk si.vty feet through alluvial
sand, and then encountered six to ten feet
of a soft, sticky, blui.h mud filled with leaves,
twigs and trunks of trees, and occasionally
small masses of what appears to have been
stable manure. This stratum is sometimes
called "Noah's Barnyard." The lake-bottom
deposits, of corresponding age, which com-
monly underlie the soil of the Grand Prairie,
have been found west of the State line, con-
sisting of marly-clays and brick-clay subsoil,
and probably exist equally under such por-
tions of the prairie as extend into this county.

Tiiere are several very good gravel beds in
the county, principally developed since the
building of the railroads.

The boulder-clay referred to above, which
forms the mass of the drift formation, is a
tough, bluish drab, unlaminated clay, more
or less thoroughly filled with fine and coarse

gravel, and including many small boulders.
On the bluff west of Perrysville this bed was
penetrated to a depth of about 100 feet before
reaching the water-bearing quicksand com-
monly found beneath it. Out-crops of 110
feet have been measured, and the bed very
probably attains a thickness of 125 feet or
more where it has not been worn away. It
is much thinner in the southern part of the
county. From the difference in character of
the included boulders at different levels, we
are led to the conclusion that the currents
which brought the materials composing these
beds flowed in different directions at diilerent
times.

Illustrating the above remarks we give a
section from a brancli of Johnson's Creek, in
Eugene Township: Boulder clay, with peb-
bles of Silurian limestone and trap, thirty feet;
yellow clay, with fragments of coal, shale,
sand-stone, etc., four inches; boulder clay,
with pebbles of Silurian limestone, twenty-
live feet; ferruginous sand, a streak; boulder
clay from the northwest, with pebbles of va-
rious metamorphic rocks and trap, and
nuggets of native copper, fifty feet.

The section of rocks exposed at the Horse-
shoe of the Little Vermillion exhibits the
following strata: Black, slaty shale; coal,
two and a half to four feet; fire-clay and soft-
clay shales, with iron-stones, fifteen feet;
argillaceous (clayey) limestone, one to two
feet; dark drab clay shale, one foot; coal, four
to live feet; light-colored fire-clay, two f<.et;
dark-colored lire-clay, one foot; soft, drab
shale, with iron-stones, ten to fifteen feet;
fossiliferous, l)lack slaty shale, often pyritous,
with many large iron-stone nudides, two to
three feet.

A considerable portion of the boulders and
pebbles of these beds, especially those con-
sisting of limestone and the metamorphic
rocks, are finely polished and striated on one

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

or more of their sides, showing the power of
the forces which were engaged in their trans-
portation from their original beds. Nuggets
of galena (suljihide of lead) and of native
copper are occasionally met with, and have
had the usual effect of exciting the imagina-
tions of those who are ignorant of the fact
that the rocks which contain these metals do
not occur nearer than the galena region of
Nortliern Illinois.

The "coal measures," as given in the para-
graph preceding the last, furnish the only
rock formations to be found in the county.
There seem to be no outcrop of beds overlying
this section. The first, or uppermost, vein of
coal is covered by a few feet of soil only.
The argillaceous limestone below it is very
thinly laminated, being mingled with much
clay; but the shales covering the next vein
constitute a fair working roof.

The sandy iron-stones areinteresting to the
fossil hunter, as they contain numerous frag-
mentary remains of lishes, insects, etc. Fos-
siliferous strata of an interestiiig character
continue exposed along the Little Veriuillion
to its mouth and down the Wabash. Out-
crops of the above mentioned strata are found
along the principal streams throughout the
county.

In ascending the Big Vermillion we find
on its south bank, a mile below Eugene, a
bluff of banks of from twenty-tive to thirty
feet of irregularly bedded, highly ferruginous,
coarse-grained sandstone, often containing
comminuted plant remains, with some large
fragments of trees, etc. Some of the beds
are sutticiently solid to make good building
stone. In quarrying them many fine trunks
and branches of Lepidodendron and Sigillaria
have been found, with a few fruits of Trig-
onocarpum. In the vicinity are some fine
large stems of Syringodendron Porteri.

Wells sunk below the limestone at Perrys-

ville, to a reported depth of ninety feet, are
said to have encountered no coal; but coal
may be found in the vicinity, in consequence
of the irregular dip of the strata.

Good coal underlies most of the surface of
Vermillion County, and is now mined abun-
dantly at various points. A total thickness
of eight feet would probably be a small
enough estimate for the coal underlying every
square mile of the county. Since the advent
of railroads many large coal mines have been
opened and worked, although some have been
wholly or in part abandoned, either on account
of competition in other parts of the country
or of finding better mines in the vicinity.

The principal iron ore found in the county
is an impure carbonate, occurring in nodules
and irregular layers or bands. These nodules
once were supplied to a furnace on Brouillet's
Creek, where they yielded thirty-tliree per
cent, of iron. The ore in the county varies
from twenty-five to forty-five per cent, of
iron. Along the bottoms of Norton's Creek,
near the head of Plelt's Prairie, a bed of bog
iron ore, said to be three feet thick and cov-
ering six to eight acres, has been discovered.

Zinc blende (sulphide of zinc), frequently
occurs, in small quantities, in the cracks and
cavities of some of the iron-stone nodules.
Its appearance at one place on the Little
Vermillion gave rise to the so-called " Silver
Mine."

The second bottoms, or terrace prairies, in
Vermillion County, in order from the north,
are named Walnut Mound, Eugene or Sand,
Newport and Kelt's. The soil is a black,
sandy loam, producing the richest crops.
These terraces comprise about three-tenths of
the county, and are from tliirty-five to sixty-
five feet above low-water mark, while the
higher portions of the county are from 250
to 270 feet above low- water.

Says Professor Collett, in his Geological

INTRODUCTORY.

Keport for 1880: " Remains of the maimnotli
have been discovered in nearly all sections of
of Indiana. They have consisted, as a rule,
of the most compact bones of these animals,
as the teeth, tusks, jaws and thigh-bones.
Some of the best preserved teeth of the mam-
moth were found in the counties of Vigo,
Parke, Yermillion, AVayne, Putnam and Van-
derbiirg. Thirty individual specimens of the
remains of the mastodon have been found in
tliis State," etc.

Reading the above report inspired a wag-
gish son of the Muse, Judge Buskirk, formerly
Attorney-General of the State, to indict the
following warning:

It thus appears that Professor Collett,
Our State geologist
And paleontologist,
Is digging up for his learned wallet
Every colossal
Dirty old fossil
In the shape of jaw-bones, tusk and teeth.
He is able to find our swamps beneath.
Handed down from the old heroic
Ages, named the Paleozoic.
When he strikes a huge nasty one
Named Giganteus Mastodon,

Or in the beds of ancient ponds
Digs up big Bison latifrons,
Or an Elephas Americanus,

And others the name of which,

Preserving the fame of which.
To pronounce is enough to cause tetanus.
It seems that at once, with his fossil-stuffed

wallet.
Out marches the palaeontologist Collett,

And with his little hammer

And scientific grammar
First knocks a mammoth tooth.

To put into his grip-sack;
Tlien constructs an awful name

By means of which to skip back
With a great rhonchisouant fury, on
The epochs carboniferous and Silurian.

Now allow me as a friend, Professor Collett,
To advise you to put up your learned wallet.
Until the present Legislature has adjourned ;
Or else by misadventure it might come to pass
Some day you'd strike the bones of a mammoth

ancient ass ;
And when by the Legislature the circumstance

was learned,
At once you'd feel the tempest of their ire
Roused by your sacrilege upon their ancient

sire, "^

And straight they'd have your salary in no fix,—
Worse than you ever knocked a tooth from a

Jeffersoni Megalouyx.

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

MOUND-BUILDERS.

HE following sketches
of the Mound-Builders,
Indians, etc., are com-
piled from data furnish-
ed l>y lion. John Collett.
When tirst explored
hy the white race, this county
was occupied by savage Indians,
without fi.xed habitation, averse
to labor and delighting only
in war and the cliase. Their
misty traditions did not reach
i^^JX^^ Ji^ liack to any previous people
or age, but numerous earth-
works are found in this region
of such extent as to require for
their construction much time and the per-
sistent labor of many people. Situated on
river bluffs, their location combines pictur-
esque scenery, adaptability for defense, con-
venience for transportation by water, and
productive lands. These are not requisites
in the nomadic life of red men, and identifies
the Mound-Builders as a partially civilized
people. Their mounds and other works are
ot such extent tliat it required years of labor.

with basket and shovel, to erect, and such co-
ordination of labor as to indicate the rule of
priestly government or regal authority; they
were certainly to that extent civilized. The
vastness of their work indicates a large com-
munity of people, so that governments were
necessary, which must have had civil power
to request and require the necessary labor.
The implements found in the graves, mounds
and tombs, were more often domestic and
agricultural, and indicate a peaceful, obedient
race. Tlieir temples were defended by bul-
warks of loving hearts rather than by warrior
braves. Many of the religious emblems and
articles of utility made of stone, point back
to the earliest forms of sentiment represented
by the fire and sun worshipers of Central
Asia, and give a clue to the reason why their
favorite habitations and mounds were as a
rule never placed beneath the eastern blufl's
of streams, but on the other hand were so
located in elevated positions or on the west-
ern bluifs, that when the timber was cleared
away and the land reduced to cultivation, a
long outlook was given to the east and to the
sunrise, from which direction their expected

ABORIOINAL.

Messiah or ruler was to come. Similar cus-
toms still prevail in Mexico.

Traditions intimate that the tribes were
driven southward from the northern portion
of the continent, and these traditions are cor-
roborated bj the discovery of relics in this
region made from material found only far to
the nortli.

Clusters of mounds are found in Yermiil-
ion County on Mound Prairie, near the
Shelby battle-ground, and nearly all along
the tract between Eugene and Newport, many
of them twenty to forty feet in diameter,
four, five or six feet high, and the clusters
containing from ten to eigiity mounds. One
memorable mound is situated in the northern
part of the town of Clinton, from which earth
was removed for road building about 1830.
In it were found stone implements of the
Mound-Builders, accompanied with copper
lieads, five copper rods, half an inch in diame-
ter and eighteen inches long, showing that it
■was one of the earliest of the Mound-Builder's
works, whilst they were also accompanied
with other implements imported from the
north.

Another, on the Head farm near Newport,
had copper rods or spear heads and smaller
stone implements. These were probably
burial mounds. A majority of them con-
tained no relics, but were simply abandoned
mounds of habitation. Mr. Pigeon in his
volume called " Dacoudah," says he noticed
figured mounds of men and beasts on the
south bank of the Little Vermillion, three or
four miles from its mouth. A burial mound
near the northeast corner contains a chief in
a sitting position at the center. Radiating
from his body like the spokes of a wheel
were five persons, slaves or wives, to wait
upon him in the other world. His useful
implements for the other world were a great
number of copper beads, from a half inch to

an inch and a quarter in diameter, seven
copper axes, one of which contained unmelted
virgin silver as it occurs at Lake Superior,
varying in weight from two to eight pounds,
and seven copper rods, (spear-heads), with
pots and crocks containing black mold as if
it were food. The streams near their homes
afforded fish for food, and the implements
found indicated that they were skilled in
handling fish spears and gigs. The soil sur-*
rounding their homes was always the choicest,
with the addition of beautiful and engaging
scenery. The relics found in their mounds
show that in their more northern homes in
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, the
common northern material, the striped slate
and copper, was abundant. In Vermillion
County relics of this character, were scarce
and precious, if not holy. At more southern
points striped-slate implements of northern
stone are very rare, while the precious copper
could no longer be used in implement-making,
but was beaten into the finest of sheets and
bent over ornamental pendants. All these,
and the customs of their burial, indicate an
Asiatic origin, and prove conclusively that
in their migration to this region they pass by
more northern regions, including Lake Su-
perior.

Afterward the northern barbarian came, of
an intermediate race between the Mound-
Builder and the red man. The Mound-
Builders were driven away by this irruption,
their property seized, many of their wives
made captive and adopted by the new people.
Many of the customs of the old people conse-
quently remained with the new comers, and
the latter also deposited their dead in the old
mounds, ovei' the remains of the more ancient
people. The number of individuals thus
found buried together number from five to
2,000 or 3,000. Their graves and relics from
the tombs are the only story of their lives.

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

\\\

Throughout all these a deep spirit of religious
devotion is indicated, as well as a belief in
the existence of another world, and that im-
plements of a domestic nature were necessary
to the comfort of the departed.

On the Moore farm, three miles nortliwest
of Eugene, Mr. Zeke Sheward, in making an
underground " dug-out," for the storing of
vegetables, on a small mound surrounded by
giants of the original forest, found at a depth
of three feet, and at least one foot below the
surface of the surrounding soil, some pieces
of metal about the size of a teaspoon handle,
and one coin. On analysis they were found
to be made of lead, antimony and tin. The
coin had in relief easily identified figures of
a worshiped crocodile of Egypt or a holy
water-dog of America, and word characters
much resembling those of China or Ilindo-
stan. Prof. W. D. Wiiitney, of Yale College,
one of the most thorough linguists of America,
believed the characters to be Arabic, but of so
ancient a date that the Oriental Society was
unable to read them. The director of the
British Museum in London determined them
to be ancient Hindostanee, but of so ancient
a date that no scholar in England could read
the inscription. Trees and their remains
indicate an age of over 2,000 years for these
mounds.

In March, 1880, while a company of gravel-
road workers were excavating gravel from
the bank on the ridge at the southwest corner
of the Newport fair-ground, live human
skeletons were found, supposed to be tlie
remains of fndians buried at that point in an
early day. In the gravel bank along the
railroad, at the southeast corner of the fair-
ground, another skeleton was found. No
implements of war were found with the bones,
but ashes were perceivable, which would indi-
cate that they were the remains of Indians.
Aftei' burying the dead it was their custom,

in some parts of the country, to build a fire
over the corpse. Many of the skeletons thus
discovered, as well as a large portion of the
bones of the lower animals, on exposure to
the air crumble away so easily that it becomes
impossible to preserve them for exhibition.

A collection of a dozen skeletons shows, by
measurements of the thigh l)ones found, that
the warriors, including a few women, average
over six feet and two inches in height.
Without animals for transportation, their
bones were made wonderfully strong by the
constant carrying of heavy burdens, and their
joints heavily articulated, and the troclianters
forming the attachments of muscles show
that they were a race not only of giant stature
but also of more than giant strength.

Manyj-elics from these mounds, as well as
from the surface of the earth elsewhere, have
been collected by old resident physicians and
others, especially Professor John Collett, late
State Geologist, and Josephus Collett; and
an interesting museum may here and there
be found presenting great variety of arrow
points, spear-heads, stone axes, tomahawks,
pestles, mortars, aboriginal pottery, pipes,
ornaments, bones of Indian skeletons, etc.
These collections also generally include an
odd variety of geological and anatomical
specimens.

INDIANS.
At the advent of the wbite man to the
Wabash Valley, the Indians had ceased from
their long warfare and were living in a state
of quietude. They had no fixed villages or
places of residence. For a few months
their homes were at some point for summer,
and at another location for winter; and their
wigwams, made of deer-skins and bufi'alo
hides, could be easily removed, or be suljsti-
tuted by others made from the bark of trees.
Many of the older settlers can remember

1i^

seeing trees the bark of which had beeu torn
off in zigzag fashion seven or eight feet from
the ground for the construction of wigwams.
All along the banks of creeks and rivers were
circular fire holes in which they cooked their
food, and at night would sleep upon the
ground with their feet hanging down in the
warm places thus made.

The Wabash River was by them called
Wahbahshikka; by the French, Ouabache;
the Vermillion was called Osanamon, but by
the French a name which signifies Yellow,
lied or Vermillion afterward translated into
English as Yellow Kiver.

The Miamis occupied a portion of the
county, but their general territory was east
of the AValjash. They were a tall straight
race, of handsome countenance, — especially
the girls — brave and terrible as enemies,
kind and faithful as friends, and chivalrous in
disposition.

The Kickapoos, or Mosquitans, originally
from the north and northwest, occupied the
regions south and southwest of the Big Ver-
million River, but occasionally, by comity of
neighbors, camped for a greater or less time
north of the Vermillion, on their neighbor's
territory. The Pottawatomies, also of north-
ern origin, owned the territory, and their
rights were recognized by the Government in
treaties. The county was at times the home
of each of these tribes, who at the zenith of
their power had their headquarters at the
Big Springs, a half rnile south of Eugene,
and the place was known among the whites
as Springfield. There the councils of their
confederacy were lield, decisions as to wars
and other difficulties determined, the great
treaty with the British merchants made, and
the Governor of Virginia took possession of
immense tracts of land on the Lower Wabash.
Many of the early settlers, as Esquire James
Armour. Samuel Groenendyke, Sr., and Irvin

Uigby, can recollect meetings held there
comprising 800 to 1,000 individuals. The
Bottawatomies were of a rather subdued dis-
position, somewhat stoop-shouldered and of
unpleasant countenance; the Kickapoos, on
the other hand, were a warlike race, quarrel-
some in disposition, addicted to controversy
and happy only in giving and receiving
blows.

It is believed that the early explorers and
the French missionaries passed down or up
the Wabash as early as 1702, — or even as
early as 1670. The missionaries, being
Jesuits, were very successful by their winning
methods in making converts among tlie sav-
ages. Near the Indian village on section 16,
township 17 north, 9 west, on cutting down
a white oak tree, the rings of growth over the
scar made by a white man's ax showed that
the incision was made not later than 1720.

In 1790, or later, General Hamtramck led
an expedition of Indiana volunteers and
militia from Vincennes to attack the non-
aggressive Indians and their village on the
Shelby farm near the' mouth of the Vermill-
ion. These were the remnants of tlie now
weakened Pottawatomie and Kickapoo tribes.
This was their favorite camping ground; the
confluence of tiie rivers gave them opportu-
nities for taking fish, which were then very
abundant; the adjoining terrace lands were
filled M'ith thousands of the greatest variety
of plum bushes and grape-vines, and it was
known as the great plum patch. The expe-
dition, in two columns, crossed the Indian
ford at Eugene, just north of the present
mill-dam, where stepping stones were placed
for crossing the stream at low water. Thence
they marched in a circuitous manner to at-
tack the village in the rear, when the direct
division should attack it at the same time
from the south. The warriors and braves
were off on a hunting expedition, and there

were none to molest or make afraid these
"gallant" soldiers except the broken-down
old men, the women and tlie children, and
these were unmercifnlly slaughtered in the
coldest of cold blood! It is not a matter of
wonder, therefore, that the Indians of this
region snbseqnently took part in the battles
of Fallen Timbers and Tippecanoe.

A portion of the Indians of this county
became connected with the confederacy that
fought the battle of Fallen Timbers near Fort
Recovery, Ohio, and participated in the
treaty of Greenville, which they tried to ob-
serve; but later a smaller division of tliem
were compelled to join the confederacy of
Tecumseh at Tippecanoe. i

La Chappelle is tlie name of the tirst j
French trading post established at the Ver-
million village, near Hamtramck's battle
ground, the northwest quarter of section 33,
18 north, 9 west, by M. Laselle, fatlier of
Hon. Charles Laselle, one of the distinguish-
ed lawyers of Logansport, this State. Another
trading post was subsequently established by
an Englishman on the John Collett farm,
sections 9 and 16. It was the custom of the
French traders here to strike small lead
medals, in siz3 a little less than a silver quar-
ter of a dollar, with a few figures and initial
letters upon them, and tack them upon trees
at the mouths of the tributaries claimed, as a
sign of possession.

The Indians of the southern end of tlie
county did their trading at stockades in Sul-
livan and Kno.x counties. Among the earliest
traders were two brothers. Frenchmen, named
I3rouillet, which was generally pronounced
by the Americans, Bruriet. For some reason
the Indians of that region entertained a strong
enmity toward one of these brothers. He
was captured and brought to their village,
near the mouth of a creek south of Clinton,
tiiat now liears liis name. At once it was

decided to burn him at the stake; and to the
stake he was fastened, with buckskin thongs.
After the men had ceased talking, the squaws,
according to Indian custom, had a right to
be heard. An aged squaw, who had had a
son killed in warfare, demanded the right to
adopt the prisoner as a substitute for her lost
son; and, whilst this privilege was generally
granted, on this occasion the demand was
refused, although she pleaded earnestly ainl
long. In her wild but heroic determination,
she seized a butcher-knife, and before any one
could interfere, cut the prisoner loose, pointed
to a canoe on the sandy shore of the Wabash,
and told liim to run and save his life if he
could. He did run. Pushing the canoe out
into the water as far as possible, and giving
it directive force toward the middle of the
river he sprang aboard, and, lying flat in its
bottom, paddled it into the stream ))eyond
the reach of the Indians' rifles and escaped.
This incident gave name to Brouillet's Creek.

The Brouillets took wives from the Miami
tribe. The wife of the elder Brouillet be-
longed to a family in the line of promotion
to the chieftianship. On his death the mother
returned to her people, and the children were
entitled, according to Indian law, to her jjropei-
home and position among her people. Her
eldest son grew up an athletic and vigorous
young man, and became one of the chiefs of
the Miamis. He was equitable in his deal-
ings, and energetic in his duties, and chival-
rous as a commander. His prudence served
to avoid in a great measure any difiiculties
with his wliite neighbors, wlio were constantly
encroaching upon his territory and often in-
flicting injustice upon his people. Frequently
the young men desired to avenge their
wrongs, but he was able to prevent the butch-
ering episodes of Indian warfare and retalia-
tion.

loseidius Collett, Sr., after sm

ABORIGINAL.

through the then swampy grounds of Hen-
dricks and Montgomery Counties, found that
his camp was without sufficient provisions,
and all, including himself, were more or less
sick. On the return march of Harrison's
army to Fort Harrison, now Terre Haute, he
directed the others to go on and secure food,
and leave him on the bank of Raccoon Creek
in a little tent. Chief Brouillet came to him,
offered his services to kill game and to dress
and cook it for him, and to care for him, M'hich
he did as carefully and gently as could a
woman. Fifty years afterward, when an old
man of eighty, Mr. Collett only could recall
the scene with tears in his eyes, and declared
that Chief Brouillet was the best looking
man that ever trod the banks of the Wabash,
and was as kind hearted as he was brave.

In the march to Tippecanoe, the confeder-
ate Indians had prepared an ambuscade for
Harrison's army at the narrow pass between
the high rocky bluffs and the Wabash River,
at Vicksburg, near Ferrysville. The army
forded the river near Montezuma and marched
up on the west side of the river and thus
avoided that ambuscade. They crossed the
Little Vermillion near the present railroad
bridge, passed up the hollow just back of
Joe Morehead's residence. Remnants of
their corduroy bridge may be seen in the
miry bottom of Spring Branch, near the brick
house on the Head farm. On that march the
useless shooting of a gun was prohibited, and
even loud talking, under penalty of death.
Judge Naylor, of Crawfordsville, who was
one of the volunteers, tells the incident that
on Oak Island, on S. S. CoUett's farm, a
frightened deer jumped over the outer rank
of men, and finding himself hemmed in, ran
in various directions over the enclosed space;
and, although the soldiers needed fresh meat,
they were not permitted to shoot the animal.
It was allowed to get away in safety. On

the two spring branches on the John Collett
farm, sections 9 and 16, corduroy roads may
be seen to this day.

The army marched as close to the river
bank as possible for the protection of the
pirogues and keel-boats, which carried corn
for their horses and provisions for the men.
Spies reported that on account of low water,
further navigation was impracticable at Coal
Creek bar. The boats were landed near
where Gardner's old ferry was once estab-
lished, on the John Collett farm, until a
reconnoisance could be made and a site for a
stockade reconnoisance could be selected.
It was determined to build the stockade on
the farm of the late J. W. Forter, at a point
known as Porter's eddy, and that it should
partially overhang the river so as to protect
the boats and their stores. Such a fqrt could
usually have been built in one day, but in the
bnstle and hurry of handling they lost half
their axes in the water. One of these was a
long time afterward found, and it was con-
sidered curious that a new axe, unused, and
mounted with an unused handle, should be
found tliere, nntil Judge Naylor explained
the fact that many axes were there lost on
the occasion just referred to, while the men
were busily engaged in building the blockade.
Fersons are now living who remember having
seen parts of the stockade.

The Kentuckians and the mounted rifie-
men recruited their horses on the rich blue-
grass pastures in the river valley bottoms, on
the Forter and Collett farms.

A sergeant and eight men were left toguard
the stockade. About seven days afterward a
wild looking soldier returned, reporting a
disastrous battle at Tippecanoe, the defeat
and destruction of the whole army, that he
alone was left to tell the story, and that they
must quickly destroy the post and retreat to a
safe place. The sergeant's reply was, " I was

ordered to hold this post; I shall do so; and
as for yon, deserter and coward, my men will
pnt you upon the ridge-pole of the stockade,
and tie your feet together. If the In-
dians come you will catch the first bullet and
shall be the first to die. We will die at our
post of dut}^"

The army marched through the prairie
regions west of Perrysville to where State
Line City now stands, and near which place
they pass the north boundary of the county.

Major James Blair and Judge J. M. Cole-
man settled on section 16, township 17 north,
9 west, between Eugene and Newport, before
the land in that region was offered for sale
by the Government. The prairie was known
as Little Vermillion, or Coleman's Prairie.
These two men had always been pioneers.
Blair had been one of the heroes of Perry's
victories on Lake Erie, and afterward held
conspicuous positions of honor and trust in
the community and State; but at this time
he and Coleman were })eacemakers between
the Indians, whose confidence they had; and
they knew that Indians, if properly treated,
could be trusted.

Se-Seep, or Siie-Sheep. a small, Ijow-legged,
stoop-shouldered, white-haired man, 110 years
old, was chief of the Pottawatomies and their
allied Kickapoos. Their territory ranged
from the Little Vermillion to Pine Creek,
including the north-half of Vermillion Coun-
ty, all of "Warren, and the west-half of Foun-
tain. Se-Seep had been a gallant fighter in
the defense of his people and coimtry at the
battle of Fallen Timbers (Wayne's Victory),
and afterward in the terrible defeat of his
people at Tippecanoe. Brave and heroic in
battle, after signing the treaties of peace with
the American authorities, he was faithful and
trustworthy, and finally became a reliable
friend of the white people. He. became the
liero of a serio-comic incident wherein Noah I

Hubbard, who settled on Indian land where
Cayuga now stands, became the butt of ridi-
cule. Hubbard was cultivating a portion of
a ten acre tract. One day the Indians crossed
at the army ford and " stole " roasting ears
and squashes as rental. Hubbard found
Se-Seep with some ears of corn and two
squashes within the folds of his blanket, and
he undertook to castigate the chief with a
cane. Se-Seep did " not scare worth a cent,"
but, dropping the squashes and corn, chased
Hubbard out of the field with a stick. Then
Hubbard went to Blair and Coleman and de-
manded that they should call out the rangers
and the mounted riflemen, declaring that the
Indians were destroying liis property and that
they should be dealt with and punished.
They refused to call out the rangers, but said
he might notify them to assemble at their
house the next morning. He did so, and the
next morning some of the riflemen also as-
sembled and commenced practice, shooting at
a mark. The Indians had camped for the
night a mile north, at the famous Bufi'alo
spring near the residence of the late John W.
Porter. Blair introduced to the Indians the
matters of difi'erence, and concluded to have an
imitation Indian pow-wow. Accordingly, he
and Coleman, who had been chosen as arbitra-
tors, rejiaircd to a plum thicket with a well worn
testament, a wooden-covered spelling-book, a
dilapidated almanac, and a remnant of an old
law book, as authorities. Here they held a
sham court, chattering gibberish, and gesti-
culating like Indians, and finally rendered
the following verdict: That the two litigants
settle the whole matter by a fist fight. The
decision was no sooner announced than the
little old Indian chief, who was dressed
only with a blanket belt, threw it off and
made rapidly for Hubbard. Of course the
latter ran, and ran as fast as he could, mount-
ed his pony and was soon out of sight. The

ABORIGINAL.

Indians, who were scarcely ever known to
langh, indulged heartily on this occasion.

Se-Seep was finally murdered, in a foul
manner, at Nebnker's Springs, Fountain
County, at the age of 110 years, by a lazy,
vicious renegade Indian named Namqua.
He had a splendid son, who at the of seven-
teen years was killed by falling fifty feet
from a tree while fighting a bear, near the
residence of John Collett.

Although no battles nor skirmishes in con-
nection with the war of 1812 took place in
this county, the " Vermillion country" was
two or three times crossed by belligerents.
From a copy of General John Tipton's jour-
nal, kindly lent us by Stephen S. Collett,
Esq., of Newport, we extract the following
paragraphs.

Tipton was an illiterate man but a daring
fighter, and in the autumn of 1811, he, as a
private in Captain Spencer's Harrison County
Riflemen, journeyed from Corydon, that
county, down the Wabash to Fort Harrison,
four miles north of Terre Haute, and up the
same stream again, in the Indian campaign
which ended in the hloody battle of Tippe-
canoe. The company compi-ised forty-seven
men, besides oflicers, and these were joined
by Captain Heath and twenty-two men. In
going down]tlie river they guarded a keel-boat
of provisions for Camp Harrison, and con-
cerning this trip we quote:

"October 6. — We moved early; one mile,
came to the river at the coal bank; found it
was below the Vermillion half a mile; we
took coffee; moved after the boat started
down. The coal bank is on the east side of
the Wabash. We went through a small
prairie; crossed the river to the west side;
went in on the head of a bar and came out on
the lower end of another on the west side;
went through a small prairie, then came to a
big prairie, where the old Vermillion town

was. We crossed the Wabash half a mile
above the mouth of the Vermillion River
before we came to the above town. Crossed
the Vermillion River, took a south course
through timbered land, and then through a
prairie with a good spring and an old Indian
hut; then tlirougli a beautiful timbered ground
to a small creek, and stopped to let our horses
graze; then went through a good land with a
ridge on our right, out of which came four
springs, and for two miles nothing but large
sugar and walnut. The hill and the river
came close together. We found a good coal
bank fourteen miles below Vermillion. AV^e
then crossed to the east side, went three
miles and camped with the boat; after coming
twenty miles and finding two bee trees, left
them."

On the 31st, coming northward, the
following entry is made:

" We moved early. Two of the oxen miss-
ing. Three of our men sent to hunt them.
We crossed Raccoon Creek. Saw our men
who went to guard the boats on the 29th;
they left us. We came to the river where
we camped on our return fi-om Vermillion on
the night of the sixth; thence up to the ford.
Saw our boat guard just crossing the river.
We halted until the army came up, then rode
the river, which was very deep, then ca:nped.
Our boat guard and the men who went to
hunt the oxen came up, when we left the
guards. We took a north course up the east
side of the Wabash and crossed to the west, witli
orders to kill all the Indians we saw. Fine
news. The Governor's wagon was left this
morning in consequence of the oxen being lost.
All the army crossed in three hours. We
drew corn.

" Friday, November 1. — I was sent with
eighteen men to look for a way for the army to
cross the Little Vermillion. Marched at day-
break; canje to the creek; found and marked

tlie road: waited till the army-came np; went
on and camped on the river two miles below
the Big Vermillion. Captain Spencer, my-
self and three others went np to the Big Ver-
million; retnrned to camp. General Wells,
with forty men, and Captain Berry with nine
men, had come up. Our camp marched in
front to-day, as usual, which now consisted
of thirty-seven men, in consequence of Captain
Berry and Lindley being attached to it.

" Saturday, November 2. — A fine day.
Captain Spencer, M'ith ten men went out on a
scout. Onr company not parading as usual,
the Uovernor threatened to brake the officers.
I staid in camp. The army staid here to
bnild a block house on the bank of the
Wabash three miles below Vermillion, in a
small prairie. The house, twenty-five feet
square, and a breast-work from each corner
next the river down to the water. Took
horses and drew brush over the prairie to
break down the weeds. This evening a man
came from the garrison: said last niglit his
was boat llred upon. One man who was asleep,
was killed. Three boats came up, unloaded;
went back taking a sick man with them.
One of Captain Bobb's men died to-night."

" Sunday, the 3d. — A cloudy day. We
moved early. Our company marched on the
right wing to-day. Crossed the Big Ver-
million, through a prairie six miles, through
timber, then through a wet prairie with
groves of timber in it," etc.

Thus we have quoted all of General Tip-
ton's journal that pertains] to Vermillion
County. Under date of November 7, 1811,
he gives an account of the battle of Tippe-
canoe, in a paragraph scarcely longer than
tiie average in his journal, as if unaware that
the action was of any greater importance than
an insignificant skirmish. Tipton was pro-
moted from rank to rank tintil he was finally
made General, His orthography, punctuation,

etc., were so bad that we concluded not to
follow it in the above extracts. Nearly every
entry in his jonrnal not quoted above opens
with the statement that the weather was very
cold. He also makes occasional mentions of
the soldiers' drawing their rations of whisky,
— from one to three or four quarts at a time.

In Harrison's march to Tippecanoe his
boats (pirogues) could not pass Coal Creek
bar, spoken of under date of October 31
above and for their protection he built a
stockade fort at the head of Porter's eddy,
the precise locality being the northeast quar-
ter of section 9, 17 north, 9 west. Here he
left the sergeant and ten men to guard them.
The remains of the heavy timbers were still to
be seen in 1888. Corduroy or pole bridges
buried in mud may yet be seen on the spring
branches on the farms of Hon. John Collett,
S. S. Collett and the Head family, — sec-
tions 9, and 15, 17 north, 9 west.

General Harrison also had caches in this
county along the Wabash.

According to one of the treaties, General
Harrison made a purchase for the Govern-
ment, the northern line of which, west of the
AVabash, extended from a point directly op-
posite the mouth of the Big Eaccoon Creek
northwesterly. This tract was opened for
white settlement long before the northern
portion of the county was, which i-emained
in the possession of the Kickapoos and Potta-
watomies for a few years longer.

FIKST WHITE SETTLER.

In the year 1816, John Vannest, a man
who was not afraid of the Indians, in
company with a man named Hunter, who was
also a hunter by occupation, ventured west
of the Wabash to select land for a permanent
home. Arriving at a point aboiit a mile
north of where Clinton now stands, — the
e}(act spot being the southeast corner of sec-

ABORiaiNAL.

tioii 9, township 14 north, range 9 west, they
halted for the night. Hunter soon seared up
a deer, which was killed, and thus they liad
a choice supper of fresh venison. After the
night's rest Mr. Vannest looked about a little,
and without tramping around further con-
cluded that tiiat spot was about as good as
any he would likely find. Keturning to
his temporary home at Fort Harrison, about
four miles this side of Terre Haute, he waited
a short time for the day of the Government land
sales to arrive at Vincennes. Repairing
thither, he entered three quarters of section 9.
Subsequently he bought the remaining quar-
ter of William Bales. This land is on the
second batton, very high and beautifully un-
dulating, but originally covered with timber.
Had he proceeded a little further north he
would have found a beautiful little prairie,
which would be land already cleared for him ;
but that point was either unknown to him,
or it was too near or over the line between
Government land and the Indians. Besides,
at the stage of the country's development
existing at that time it was not believed that
the prairies could be cultivated, or dwelt upon
with comfort, on account of the greater and
more constant cold winds.

On the beautiful timbered land above de-
scribed, Mr. Yannest, settled bringing with
him his wife and several children. Erecting
lirst a log cabin on the west side of his land, he
cocupied it for a long period, when he built a
large brick residence, from bricks he had made
near by. It was the first brick building in
the county. The mason employed upon it
was a Mr. Jones, residing toward Newport.
This house finally became unsafe and was
torn away.

The land which Mr. Vannest obtained re-
mains mostly in the possession of his descend-
ants to this day; and it is a remarkable fact
that from this tract no less than forty-five

men entered the service of their country dur
ing the late war.

John Vannest, Jr., son of the precedin

was the first white child born
County, though this honor

11 Vermillion
as also been
claimed for the late Hon. William Skidmore,
of Ilelt Township.

John Vannest, Sr., died September 28,
184:2, at age of sixty-two years, and liis wife
Mary, August 29, 1824, aged forty years, and
they lie buried in the Clinton cemetery,
north of the village. A daughter, Mrs.
Sarah, widow of Scott Malone, stilloccupies
the old homestead, being the oldest female
resident of Clinton County. She well re-
members the time when the girls, as well as
the boys, had to " go to meeting " and to
school barefoot, sometimes walking and some-
times on horseback. The school and the
meetings were held in the characteristic pio-
neer log school-house, with puncheon floor,
raud-and-stick chimney, flat rails for benches,
a slab pinned up for a writing desk, and
greased-paper windows. These and otlier
pioneer customs are described in detail else-
where in this volume.

Mrs. Malone and her twin sister, Jane,
were born August 6, 1812, and were conse-
quently about four years old when their
parents nioved with them to this county. It
was a remarkable fact that these sisters, as long
as the latter was living, — who died in old age,
— always resembled each other so closely in
their personal appearance that even their child-
ren often mistook one for the other. Jane
married Thomas Kibby, and died in March,
1880. [It is from Mr. Kibby and Mrs.
"Malone that we have learned many fiicts of
this early history.]

Mrs. Vannest had two narrow escapes from

death at the hands of the Indians. The

origin of this vengeance on the part of the

was as follows; Two white

soldiers at Camp Harrison became engaged in
a quarrel one day, and one of them in attempt-
ing to shoot the other, carelessly missed his
aim and killed an Indian Sqnaw beyond.
Thereupon the reds vowed they would kill
the first white " squaw " who should cross to
this side of the Wabash Eiver. Accord-
ingly they watched their opportunity, and
made two attempts to take the life of
Mrs. Vannest. On the first occasion her life
was saved by the timely interference of a
friendly Indian, and the other time by the
violent interference of iier relatives and friends.
Directly after this her husband took her back
to Fort Harrison, where she remained until
the "holy ardor" of the fiery savages had
died down.

Most of the early settlers throughout the
county are mentioned in the histories of the
respective townships. See Index.

In the first portion of this volume is given
a description of the features of pioneer life
in this part of the country, of the privations
and sicknesses suffered, as well as of dangers
from Indian and beast, and of the abundance
of wild game.

WILD GAME.

Several circular " hunts ■' or " drives " have
been held in this county; but as tliey have
been conducted without the employment of
dogs, their success lias not been great. The
largest competitive chase ever held in this
county was in early day, and lasted three
months. Two leaders were chosen; they
picked their men and divided the neighbor-
hood in two parties for a compass often miles;
they were to bring in the scalps of the slain
animals at the end of three months, and the
leader who showed the most scalps could de-
mand five gallons of whisky as a treat from
the beaten side. A wolf, fox, crow, coon or
mink scalp was to be considered equal in

value to five other scalps. A squirrel or
chipmunk scalp counted one. On the ap-
pointed day the opposing forces assembled.
The committees began counting early in the
morning, and completed theexciting task about
three o'clock in the afternoon, when it was
ascertained that over 70,000 scalps had been
taken ! Thus, by a general rivalry the settlers
enjoyed the execution of a plan which proved
the means of safety and protection to tlieir
crops.

EAELY NAVIGATION.

In the settlement of Indiana, before the
age of canals, railroads, or even wagon roads,
the Wabash Valley was the center of attraction,
for it was the only means of transportation
of products and supplies. Hence the towns
and villages along the river were the centers
of trade and civilization. All the adjoining
region to the east in Indiana and to tlie
west in Illinois were compelled to bring
their produce to the Wabash for transpor-
tation to New Orleans and other southern
markets. At first, flat-boats by hundreds
and thousands, forty, fifty, eighty, one-hun-
dred and one-hundred and twenty-five feet
long were built, loaded with pork, hogs, beef,
cattle, corn, wheat, oats and hay, and sent
south. Five hundred of these boats have
been sent out of the Big Vermillion from
Eugene, Danville and other points on that
stream in one year. Scarcely a day in the
long April, May and June floods but that
from twenty to forty of these boats would
pass. They were generally manned by
a steersman, — who was also captain, — four
oarsmen, with long side sweeps, and one
general utility boy, who did the cooking.
Supplies of food were taken along; and no
boat was considered safely equipped which
had less than twenty gallons of whisky.

To the boatmen these trips were occasions

ABORIGINAL.

199

of joyous festivity; and the wonderful stories
which they bronght hack of the dangers and
terrors of the navigation of the Mississippi,
and tlie strange, mysterious eddies in which
yet might ilow for weeks, — especially the
"Widow Woman's eddy, tiie Grand Gulf, the
i^rick-house Point, the Red Church — were as
remarkable as Scylla and C'liaribdis in Roman
song and story. Dozens of captains and ex-
pert boatmen resided at Clinton, Eugene and
Perrysville. The boatmen would sometimes
return from the southern markets on foot
through the Cherokee nation. The greatest
danger to whicii they were exposed, however,
was an attack from some of the noted
Jlurrell's gang of robbers in Southern Illi-
nois and AVestern Kentucky. "While many
from Southern Indiana, Ohio, and Eastern
Kentucky were robbed and murdered by these
desperadoes, all the "V^ermillion County men
fortunately came through safely.

Captain N. H. Adams, who died at Eugene
fiom an over-supply of whisky, started in
ISll with a loaded boat from the Wabash,
and had landed at New Madrid, Missouri,
wlien the terrible earthquake occurred, dur-
ing the night, which was dark and stormy.
The trees were shaken and the crash and
noise of nature, and the horror of the alarmed
people of the doomed town, rendered the

scene more terrific than imagination can con-
ceive. And what could have been the feel-
ing of those who witnessed the current of the
Mississippi turned furiously up stream for
hours! It seemed that the bottom of the
river had fallen out. Wlien the cavity
made by the "earthquake was filled, the
current resumed its natural flow, but the
sunken lauds and broken or inclined forest
trees showed that over a large adjoining
region a terrible earthquake had taken place.

Mercantile and other supplies were wagoned
across the Alleghany mountains, were taken
down the Ohio in flat-boats, transferred to
keelboats and brought up the Wabash by
push-poles and cordelling by ropes which
were sent out in advance, tied to trees, and
wound up on improvised capstans.

The first steamer on the Wabash made its
appearance about 1820, an event of signal
importance and popular excitement. x\li the
people both wondered and rejoiced. The
screaming fife, the throbbing drum and the
roaring cannon welcomed the new power.
Afterward steamers became more common,
one or more passing every day. At one time,
when Vermillion was at its flood, and the
river at Perrysville obstructed by ice, as
many as eleven steamers sought harbor at
Eugene.

''HE territory comprising
Vermillion County was
originally a part of
Vigo County. In 1821
Vigo County was di-
vided by the organiza-
tion of Parke County, which
comprised Vermillion as a part
of it, and Roseville, on the Big
Raccoon Creek, was the county
seat.

In 1823, by an act of the
Legislature of the State, Parke
!^t^ Cwinty was divided by the
AV abash River, the part west
of the river being organized
as Vermillion County, and named from the
rivers. The Big Vermillion had been for
many years tlie boundary between tlie pos-
sessions of the Peaukeshaws on the south and
the Kickapoos and Pottawatomies on the
north, and during the period of ownership by
France it was a part of the boundary between
Canada and Louisiana.

Vermillion County was created by an act
of the General Assembly, approved January
2, 1824. The full text is as follows:

" Section 1. Be it enacted- hij the General
Assenihly of the State of hidiana^ That from

and after the first day of February next, ail
that part of the counties of Parke and Wabash
included within the following bounds shall
form and constitute a new county, that is to
say: Beginning on the west bank of the
Wabash River, where the township line
dividing townships numbered thirteen ami
fourteen north of the base line, of range
number niiie west of the second principal
meridian crosses the same; thence west to
the State line; thence north to the line
dividing townships numbered nineteen and
twenty north; thence east to the Wabash
River; and thence south with the meanders
of said river to the place of beginning.

"Section 2. The said new county shall,
from and after- the first day of February ne.xt,
be known and designated by the name of the
county of Vermillion, and it shall enjoy all
the rights, privileges and jurisdictions which
to a separate and independent county do or
may properly belong or appertain: Provided
always, That all suits, pleas, plaints, actions
and proceedings which may before the first
day of Marcli next have been commenced,
instituted and jjending within the county of
Parke, shall be prosecuted to final judgment
and cficct in the same manner as if this act
had not been passed: Provided also, That

OOVERNMENTAL.

201

the State and county taxes wliicli are now
due within the bounds of the said new county
shall lie collected and paid in the same man-
ner and l)y the same otticers as the}' wonld
have been if the creation of the said new
county had not taken place.

"Section 3. Eobert Sturgus and Samuel
Caldwell, of the county of Vigo, Moses Rob-
bins, of Parke County, William Pugh, of
Sullivan County, and AVilliam Mcintosh, of
tlie county of Putnam, are hereby appointed
commissioners, agreeably to the act entitled
'Au act for the fixing of the seats of justice
in all new counties hereafter to be laid off.'
The commissioners above named, or a major-
ity of them, shall convene at the house of
James Blair, in the said new county of Ver-
million, on the first Monday of March next,
and immediately proceed to discharge the
duties assigned them by law. It is hereby
made the duty of the sheriff of Parke County
to notify the said commissioners either in
person or by written notice of their appoint-
ment, on or before the first day of February
next: and the said sherift" of Parke County
shall receive from the said county of Ver-
million such compensation therefor as the
county commissioners of said new county of
Vermillion shall deem just and reasonable;
who are hereby authorized to allow the same
out of any monies in the treasury of said
county, not otherwise appropriated, in the
same manner as other allowances are made.

"Sectiox 4. The Circuit Court of the
county of Vermillion shall meet at the house
of James Blair, in the said new county of
Vermillion, until suitable accommodations
can be had at the seat of justice; and so soon
as the courts of said county are satisfied that
suitable accommodations can be had at the
county seat, they shall adjourn their courts
thereto, after which time the courts of the
said county shall be holden at the seat of

justice of said county established by law:
Provided alwajs, That the Circuit Court
shall liave authority to adjourn tiie court
from the house of James Blair as aforesaid,
to any other place, previous to the comple-
tion of the public buildings, should the said
court or a majority of them deem it ex-
pedient.

"Section 5. The Board of County Com-
missioners of the said county of Vermillion
shall, within six months after the permanent
seat of justice of said county shall have been
selected, proceed to erect the necessary pub-
lic buildings thereon.

Section 6. The agent who shall be ap-
pointed for the sales of lots at the seat of
justice of said new county shall reserve and
receive ten per centum out of the proceeds
ot all donations made to the said county, and
also out of the proceeds of all sales made of
lots at the county seat of said county, and
pay the same over to such person or persons
as may be appointed by law to receive the
same, for the use of a county library for the
said county of Vermillion, whicii he shall
pay over at such time and place as may be
directed by law.

" Section 7. The powers, privileges and
authorities that are granted to the qualified
voters of the county of Dubois and others
named in the act entitled 'an act incorpo-
rating a county library' in the counties
therein named, approved January 28, 1818,
to organize, support and conduct a county
library, are hereby granted to the qualified
voters of the county of Vermillion; and the
same powers and authorities therein granted,
and the same duties therein required of the
several officers and persons elected by the
qualified voters of Dubois and other counties
therein named, for the purpose of carrying
into effect the provisions of the act aforesaid,
according to the true intent and meaning

thereof, are hereby granted to and required
of the otticers and other persons elected by
tlie qualified voters of the county of Yer-
niillion.

" Section 8. The said county of Vermill-
ion shall have both civil and criminal
jurisdiction over all the country north of said
county, which is or may be included in ranges
nine and ten west, to the northern boundary
of the State.

" Section 9. The said new county of Ver-
million shall be attached to the counties of
Pike and Vigo, for the purpose of electing
Representatives to Congress, and to the same
Senatorial and Eepresentativedistricts to which
said counties now belong, for the purpose of
electing Senators and Representatives to the
General Assembly, and to the first return dis-
trict for the purpose of returning votes for
electors of President and Vice-President of
the United States."

For the space of a year Vermillion County
thus had jurisdiction over more than a hun-
dred miles of country north and south — to
Lake Michigan, but a few miles from the
modern city of Chicago. The presidential
election referred to in the closing sentence
was that at which John Quincy Adams was
chosen, and during the administration of
President Monroe. It takes us back almost
to " ancient " history.

The county is thirty-seven miles long,
north and south, by an average of seven miles
in width, east and west. It is bounded on
the north by Warren County, on the east by
the "Wabash River, or Fountain and Parke
counties, on the south by Vigo County, and
on the west by the State of Illinois, that is,
by Edgar and Vermillion counties, that State.

The county seat was located at its present
point, in what was then (1824) a wilderness,
by Commissioners Robert Sturgis, Samuel M.
Caldwell, William Pugh and William Mc-

intosh, of adjoining counties. A fifth com-
missioner was probably appointed, but did
not act. Tradition gives four reasons wliy
the seat of government was fixed at Nepurt:
First, the site is nearly central; second, it
was convenient to a good big spring, and to
a grist and saw mill on the Little Vermillion
River; third, those who owned the land were
more liberal in their donations to the county
than were others who sought the seat of g"\ -
ernment elsewhere; and fourth, a few have
intimated that the commissioners were bought
up by parties in interest; but of course no
proof of this lias ever been given; the first
three reasons are sufficient. There has never
since been a serious effort made to remove the
county seat; and, although Dana may out-
grow the other towns in the county and
some cay bid strong for the honor, the pres-
ent railroad system of the county constitutes
an additional reason, and a more cogent rea-
son than all the others combined, for retain-
ing the seat of county government at its
present place. It is more convenient than
any other point in the county can be, unless
Dana should grow to a city and become a
kind of railroad center.

EAELT ACTS OF THE COMJIISSIONEKS.

The earliest acts of the commissioners of
Vermillion County were recorded in a "home-
made" book manufactured for the purpose
by the clerk. Tiiis record was left in some
place e.xposed to the depredations of mice,
which mutilated it seriously, and some of the
minutes therefore cannot be deciphered. In
March, 1882, by order of the commissioners,
as much of this mutilated record as was pos-
sible was carefully transcribed in a large,
well-bound book of modern manufacture.
This transcript begins with the minutes of
the March session of 1824, the year the county
was organized, and therefore but very little

GOVERNMENTAL.

203

of tlie record is really lost. Tliis iirst session
was held at the residence of James Blair,
situated near the southeast corner of the
northeast quarter of section 16, in township
17 north, of range 9 west. That was on the
west side of the old wagon road leading from
Eugene to Newport, and about half way
heuwecn those two towns. As these earliest
acts of the County Legislature gather increas-
ing interest with lapsing years, we p'-int the
tirst few pages ot them.

" At a special meeting of the board of com-
missioners of Vermillion County, begun and
held at the house of James Blair, on Tuesday,
the 23d day of March, 1824, and the com-
missioners having their certificates of election,
and having taken the necessary oath, took
their seats. Commissioners present — John
Haines, Thouias Durliam and Isaac Cliambers.

" 1st. Ordered, That William W. Kennedy
be and is hereby appointed clerk of the board
of commissioners of Vermillion County for
this session.

" 2d. Ordered, That Caleb Bales be and is
hereby appointed lister of the County of Ver-
millioi', upon his giving bond and security.

" 3d. Ordered, That all that part of the
County of Vermillion contained in the fol-
lowing bounds, to wit: Beginning at the
Wabash River where the line dividing town-
ships 13 and 14 crosses the same, thence with
said line to the line dividing the States of
Lidiana and Illinois, thence north to the line
dividing townships 14 and 15, thence east
with said line to the Wabash River, thence
south with said river to the place of begin-
ning, shall constitute the township of Clin-
ton; and that the election in said township
be held in said township at the house of John
Sargeant, in Clinton.

" 4th. Ordered, That all that part of the
county of Vermillion contained in the follow-
ing bounds, to wit: Beginning at the Wabash

River where the line between townships 14
and 15 crosses the same, thence west with
said line to the line dividing the States of
Indiana and Illinois, thence north with said
line to the center of township 16, thence east
with said central line to the Wabash River,
thence south with said river to the place of
beginning, — shall constitute the township of
Ilelt, and that elections for said township be
held at the house of John Van Camp.

"5th. Ordered, That all that part of Ver-
million County contained in the following
bounds, to wit: Beginning at the Wabash
River at the center of township 16, thence
west with said central line to the line dividing
the States of Indiana and Illinois, thence
north with said line until it strikes the Big
Vermillion River, thence east with said river
until it empties into the Wabash, thence
south with said river to the place of begin-
ning, shall constitute the township of Ver-
million; and that elections in said township
be held at the school-house on section 16 in
township 16.

" 6th. Ordered, That all that part of Ver-
million County contained in the following
bounds, to wit: Beginning at the Wabash
River at the mouth of the Big Vermillion
River, thence west with said river to the line
dividing the States of Indiana and Illinois,
thence north with the said line to the line
dividing townships 19 and 20, thence east
with said line to the Wabash River, thence
south with said river to the place of begin-
ning, shall constitute the township of High-
land, and that elections in said township be
held at the house of Jacob Andrick."

The next four orders appoint inspectors of
the elections first to l>e held in the above
described townships — Salmon Luck, for Clin-
ton; William Bales, for Helt; John Gardner,
for Vermillion; and Jacob Haines, for High-
land.

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

The next four orders direct that justices
of the peace be chosen at these elections, and
that the sheriff give due notice of the time,
place and purposes of the same.

The succeeding four orders appoint consta-
bles for the townships — Cliarles Trowbridge,
for Clinton; John Harper, for Ilelt; Jacob
Custer, for Yermillion; and George Han-
sucker, for Highland; upon their giving bond
and security.

The above constitutes the business of the
first day's session.

Clinton and Helt townships remain un-
changed to this day; but the other two town-
ships have been made into three, as follows:
The line between Vermillion and Eugene
townships is the line dividing sections 19 and
30 of surveyed township 17 north and 10
west, running east to the northeast corner of
section 21, township 17 north and 9 west,
thence north a half mile, and thence east to
the river; the line dividing Eugene and

ig sec-

Highland townships is the line divid
tions 19 and 30 of township 18 north and 10
west, running east to the river; and from the
northern side of Highland Township has
been cut off one tier of sections of Congres-
sional township 19 nortli, 9 west, and thrown
into Warren County.

On the second day -^ the session the fol-
lowing were appointed grand jurors for the
May (1824) term of the Circuit Court: David
W. Arnold, Horace Luddington, Rezin Shel-
by, Andrew Thompson, John Tipton, William
Coffin, John Scott, Jesse Higgins, Morgan
De Puy, AVilliam Hedges, John Tannest,
William Boyles, James Andrews, James
Harper, Sr., and James Davis; and tlie fol-
lowing as petit jurors: Joel Dicken, Robert
Elliott, James Groenendyke, John Thompson,
Simeon Dicken, Isaac Worth, Lewis Zebres-
key [or Zabriskie], Benjamin Shaw, Alexan-
der Bailey, William Rice, Harold Hayes,

Amos Reeder, William Hamilton, John Clo-
ver, Ralph Wilson, John Wimsett, Abraham
Moore, John Maxadon, Joseph Dillow,
Thomas Matheny, John E. Anderson, 0\ ed
Blakesley, John Van Camp, and Joshua Skid-
moi-e.

For some reason, however, the most of
those appointed as grand jurors failed to
serve, as the Circuit Court record for the May
(1824) term opens by giving the following
named gentlemen as constituting the grand
jury: Simeon Dicken, Ralph Wilson, Joseph
Schooling, Obed Blakesley, James Harper,
Sr., Carter Hollingsworth, Joshua Skidmore,
Amos Reeder, Joel Dicken, Robert Elliott,
Jesse Higgins, John Thompson, John Tipton,
Joseph Dillow, Ludlow Ludwick, James
Davis and William Rice.

This day they also appointed " superintend-
ents " of the school sections — Harold Hughes
for Clinton Township, William Bales for
Helt, James Davis for Vermillion, William
Coflin for that in 17 north, 9 west, in High-
land Township, Hoi'ace Luddington in 18
north, and Jacob Andrick in 19 north, also
in Highland.

For overseers of the poor, John Vannest
was appointed for Clinton Township, James
Andrews and Augustus Ford for Helt, Zeno
Worth and John Tipton for Vermillion, and
John Haines and AVilliatn Gonger for High-
land.

John Collett was appointed ''agent for
laying out a county seat," and also "for sell-
ing such lots as were donated by John Jus-
tice and George Miner for the use of tiie
county, and such lands as were by them do-
nated as more fully appears by their bonds."
Josephus Collett and William Fulton were
accepted as security for John Collett.

Alexander Bailey was appointed collector
of State and county tax.

James Blair was appointed agent for the

GOVERNMENTAL.

library of the county, and authorized to re-
ceive the moneys appropriated for the pur-
pose from the sales of the county seat lots.
(There is no " county library " now.)

On the third day of this session the bills
of the sheriff and commissioners appointed
by the State government to locate the county
seat, were audited and ordered paid. Will-
iam Fulton was allowed §35 " as a sheriff in
organizing the county of Vermillion," and
also $2.50 for obtaining a copy of the laws

regi

ilati

the duties of sheriffs

counties.

John Collett was authorized to receive a
deed of the land for the county seat from
John Justice, Josephus Collett and Stephen
Collett, the land being " all that part of the
west halt of the southwest quarter of section
26, in townsliip number 17 north, of range
9 west, which may be south of the Little
Vermillion Creek, should the same contain
more or less."

"William Fulton was substituted for Alex-
ander Bailey as collector of taxes.

For the May (1824) session the same com-
missioners first met at the house of James
Blair, and, before transacting any business,
adjourned to 4 p.m., at the house of Josephus
Collett, at Vermillion Mills. At this place
Mr. Haines did not appear. The other two
commissioners decreed that ferry licenses be
$7; " that the clerk list all property liable to
taxation for county purposes to the full
amount allowed by law; " that tavern licenses
be $5; that the seat of justice shall be known as
" the town of Newport," and that the lots in
said town be laid off according to the
following form, viz: Lots sixty-six feet in
front, and 1811 feet in depth; the main street
to be 100 feet in breadth, all other streets
eighty feet; the alleys running north and
south to be thirty-three feet, those east and
west, sixteen; and that tlie sale of lots take

place on the first Monday in June next, at
the public square in said town, one-fifth of
the purchase money to be paid in hand, the
residue in four seini-annnal installments; and
one-half of the lots donated to the county
only shall be offered at said time."

Next, the county was divided into thirteen
road districts, and supervisors for them were
appointed.

James Blair was authorized to run a ferry
at Perrysville, at the following rates: Wagon
and five horses, 75 cents; wagon and four
horses, 62^ cents; wagon and three horses,
50 cents; wagon and two horses, 37|- cents;
man and horse, 12^ cents; pedestrian, 6J
cents; neat cattle, 4 cents a head; hogs and
sheep, 2 cents a head.

John Gardner was authorized to run a ferry
across the Wabash about two miles north of
Newport.

For the proceedings of the next day the
record says that "the grand and petit jurors,
being duly selected for the present year, M-ere
deposited in a box prepared for that pur-
pose !" No wonder they dreaded to serve !

" License to vend foreign merchandise for
the present year [remainder of 1824] was
established at $10."

At the June (182^ session the commis-
sioners ordered a conwact to be let for the
building of a court-house of the folloM'ing de-
scription: "36 feet in length, and 24 feet in
depth; containing two jury rooms, to l)e fur-
nished with a window of fifteen lights, and a
door opening from each into the court-room;
the latter to have eight feet for a passage be-
tween it and the jury room; balance of six-
teen feet to be finished, laid off and worked
in a semicircular form, in a workmanlike
manner; with seats for the judges, bar and
jury; with bannisters to separate the said
court and jury rooms, eight feet one from
the other across said court-house, at the dis-

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

tance of eight feet from said jury rooms, ex-
cept so much as may be necessary for the
admission of persons in and to the Lar and
court, which said space is not to exceed three
feet; and the said court-room is to be fur-
nished with three windows of fifteen lights
eacli, and two good doors. Said building is
to be erected on the southeast corner of the
public square, of good, substantial frame of
a ten-foot story, covered with joint shingles;
and said frame is to be settled on a sufficient
number of eighteen-inch blocks two feet
long."

June 26, 1824, the board of commissioners
met and awarded to John Justice the con-
tract for building the above described court-
house, for $345, the structure to be completed
by the first of the following November.

PLAN OF FIRST' COURTHOUSE.

Although the commissioners refused to
accept this building when Mr. Justice
thought he had it completed, it was used for
courts and pnblic meetings of all kinds until
another was erected, of brick. The county
paid Mr. Justice in part; he sued for the
balance, and finally recovered it, the Supreme
Court ordering the county to pay the full
amount and the cost of the proceedings.

In February, 1831, the coramistioners had
a plan for a new court-house drawn up, and
advertised for proposals for furnishing the

material with whicb to build it. James Skin-
ner, being tlie lowest responsible bidder, was
awarded the contract for furnishing the
brick, at $3.50 per thousand; and Stephen
B. Gardner was promised $2.50 a perch for
the stone. Other material was contracted
for, and the court-house completed under the
immediate supervision of the county com-
missioners, and was occupied until Januaiy
29, 1844, at half past eleven o'clock in the
forenoon, when it was partly burned down.
The commissioners called a session immedi-
ately and arranged for repairing the building.
It WHS fully repaired, and re-occupied during
the following summer. This served until
1868, when the present beautiful structure
was built.

In June, 1828, the board of commissioners
let the contract for the erection of the first
jail, which was to be 16 x 28 feet in ground
area, two stories high, of hewed timbers,
with a partition of twelve feet for debtors'
and criminals' room, lower story eight and a
half feet in the clear, upper story eight feet,
with partition as below, to be built of double
timbers 8 x 10 inches thick, or wider if con-
venient; roof to be of joint shingles, etc., etc.
Samuel Hedges was the contractor, who was
to receive for the work $369.

In connection with the same building was
to be a clerk's office, 16 x 14 feet, one story
nine feet in the clear, two fifteen-light win-
dows, one door, etc., etc. For this Mr.
Jledges was to receive $116.

This building was erected in due time,
according to contract.

PROBATE KECOED.

The first page of the probate record begins
thus:

" Order Book 1. Probate Court, April 16,
1827. Present, the Honorable Jacob Castle-

GOVERNMENTAL.

iiiau and Jacob Andrick, Associate Judges of
Vermillion Count}'.

"Court was adjourned to meet at the
clerk's office in Newport.

''Ordered, That Phebe Miller be and she
is hereby appointed guardian of Matilda
Miller, of lawful age to choose a guardian,
and Eliza Ann, Charlotte, Jothani, Jacob,
John, Lucretia and Massey Miller, infant
heirs of Joshua Miller, deceased, that she
give bond in the sum of §600, and that John
Haines and John Gardner be approved as
sureties.

"On motion of James Groenendyke, ordered
that John Armour, John Tipton and Robert
Elliott be and they are hereby appointed coin-
missiouers to make a partition of the real
estate of John Groenendyke, deceased, among
the heirs of- said deceased, and report to the
next terra.

''Ordered., That Sarah Lamphier, adminis-
trutri.x of the estate of Elijah Lamphier, de-
ceased, be allowed the following credits, she
having filed sufficient vouchers to that eflect:
[Here follows a list of expenses, footing up
812.]

"Ordered, That Hiram Shepherd, admin-
istrator of the estate of William W. Ken-
nedy, deceased, be allowed a credit of $39 on
said estate, he having produced sutKcient
vouchers for the sum.

"Ordered, That court adjourn till court in
course.

"Jacob Andeick.
"Jac. Castlkman."

Mr. Andrick's name is signed mostly in
German letter, while Mr. Castleman swings
a fancy pen in modern style.

FIRST MARBIAGES.

The first marriages within the present
bounds of Vermillion County are probably
recorded at the county seats of Parke and

Vigo counties, as the record at Newport
opens with certificates at the rate of almost
one a week, or forty for the year ending May
1, 1825. The record here begins with the
following, in the order here given :

1. Jesse McGee, Minister of the Gospel,
married Moorman Hayworth and Elizabeth
Mardick, May 30, 1824; and June 2, same
year, Hugh Johnson and Polly Tipton.

2. John Porter, Justice of the Peace, May
10, 1824, married Philo Heacock and Dian-
tha Smith; June 10 following, Joshua Dean
and Susan Nolan; June 27, Isaac I>. Potter
and Semiah Seymour; July 1, Noah Kirken-
dol and Mary Wallen; and August 12, Ashur
Sargent and Delilah Cooper, etc.

Some of the above names are probably
wrongly spelled.

THE CIRCUIT COURT.

The first civil suit brought into the Circuit
Court was instituted by Mark Hays against
Mary Hays for divorce. The case was con-
tinued for several terms and ended by Mark
having to pay Mary's lawyers' fees, dis-
missing and pa^'ing costs, and then the
twain living together thereafter. " Vermillion
County," says M. G. Rhoades, Esq., "has the
reputation of settling more lawsuits by com-
promise than any other county in the State.
This effect may be directly traceable to the
example set in the case just related."

The fii'st volume of the Circuit Court record
opens thus: "May Term, 1824. Pleas be-
gun and held before the Honorable Jacob
Call, President of the First Judicial Circuit
in the State of Indiana, and Jacob Andrick
and Jacob Castleman, Associate Judges for
the county of Vermillion, at the house of
James Blair, on Thursday, the sixth day of
May, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-four.

" State of Indiana vs. Josephus Collett and

Ealpli Wilson." This was for assault and
battery, although no memorandum of the fact
is entered. Tlien follows the plea of indict-
ment, which is interesting on account of the
heavy wording characteristic of that day.
Thus:

"The jurors, for and in the name and body
of the county of Vermillion, upon their oaths
present that Josephus CoUett, late of the
township of Vermillion, laboring [laborer?],
and Ralph Wilson, late of the same town-
ship and county aforesaid, laborer, on the
fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four,
with force and arms, at [in ?] the township
aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, did, in a
certain public place, to wit, the house yard of
James Blair, being a puljlic place, did agree
to fight at fisticulis, and then and there
actually did fight, and then and there, in a
rude, insolent, angry and unlawful manner,
did touch, strike, beat, bruise, wound and ill-
treat each other, to the terror of the citizens
of the State of Indiana, then and there being
contrary to the force of the statutes of that
case made and provided, and against the peace
and dignity of the State of Indiana.

" Georgk R. C. Sullivan, Pros. Atty."

Among the tautologies and slips of the pen
in the above document, is the old familiar
phrase, " with force and amis," connected
with a case of simple "fisticufis !" "Arms"
were employed, no doubt I — two by each
party.

According to tradition, the \^hole court
were indictable as accessories to the affray,
as, while they had no regular business on
hand for the day, they " adjourned to see the
fun!"

At the second term of the court Mr. Col-
lett pleaded guilty and was fined §2; but Mr.
Wilson continued his case for several terms,
and was ultimately fined $10, — -for the use of

the county seminary. Judge John R. Porter
presided at this term of court. His circuit,
by the several changes that were made, ex-
tended from the Ohio to Lake Michigan.

Of course it is not necessary for us to fol-
low the criminal records further, or even give
any statistics of crime in this county. In
reading a modern newspaper one often gets
the impression that " this section of tiic
country" is awfully addicted to crime, for-
getting that it is the province of the paper tn
gather and publish all that is sensational,
though other things be excluded. In reading
the modern newspaper, therefore, one is
almost constantly looking at the worst side
of society.

There has been but one case of capital
punishment in Vermillion County, a lu-ief
account of which wc now proceed to give.

THE SCAFFOLD.

Walter AVatson was executed April 3, 1879,
for iiaving murdered Ezra Compton at High-
land January 10, preceding.

Watson was born in Vermillion County,
Indiana, March 20, 1852, and when grown
was five feet nine inches in height, weighed
about 165 pounds, and had a light complexion
and auburn hair. When he M-as fourteen
years of age his mother died, a little before
which time he joined the Methodist Episcopal
church; but in 1876 he joined the Baptist
church, and December 25, 1877, married
Mary E. Sharp, a memberof the same church.
His father kept house but a short time after
his mother's death, and he and his brother
were consequently left to shift for themselves.
He was generally industrious, however, work-
ing mostly on a farm, and some as a car-
penter; he carried mail four months, and was
also engaged in numerous other odd jobs, in
various places.

Being a creature ot high temper, he occa-

GOYERNMENTAl..

sioiially had a fight, and, according to what
he said, was always victorions. The hist
light he liad was with a man named Lon
Glaric, in Illinois. Tliej snapped revolvers
at each other, hut neither of tlie revolvers
fired. The ti'ouble began on the qncstion
who should go home with a certain girl.
After the revolvers failed, the parties clinched,
when Watson gained the victory and marched
off with the girl.

Watson never made a practice of getting
drunk, but would occasionally drink with a
friend. He had such a disposition as one
would suppose was developed by being teased
and tantalized when an infant; was fretful,
suspicious, overbearing and ugly; but in jail
he was always kind to his fellow prisoners
and to the jailor, Spencer H. Dallas.

January 9, 1879, Watson went to High-
land and purchased of Ezra Compton 25
cents worth of soap, on credit. The next
(\-Ay his brother Florence bought an ax
at the same place, and in paying for it he
handed Mi-. Compton a $2 bill to change.
The latter, not being well acquainted with
the brothers, and thinking this was the same
who had bought the soap the preceding day,
reserved pay for it also, in making the change.
Florence asked for an explanation, when
Compton said he supposed he desired to pay
for the soap also. Then Florence had to
explain that it was his brother who obtained
the soap, and added that it was all right, and
mark that debt cancelled also.

Arriving home, Florence told his brother
Walter that he thought it was " a little thin "
to buy so small a quantity of soap and having
it charged. Walter denied the charge, flew
into a terrible rage and declared he would
have satisfaction out of Compton. Seizing
his brother's revolver I'lom an adjoining
room, he sallied forth, despite the entreaties
of his wife, and walked to the village, two

miles away, bent on revenge. First, he de-
manded to know of Mr. Compton why he had
caused his brother to pay for the soap when
he had promised to wait on him till he could
get the money. Mr. Compton explained the
matter to him, but he was too greatly excited
to be reasonable. Even handing back the
twenty-five cents by Mr. Compton had no
effect in cooling down the boiling caldron.
Compton then ordered him out of the store.
He withdrew for a moment, but stepping
back upon the threshold, he pointed the deadly
weapon toward his victim, and exclaimed,
" D — n you ! I'll shoot you anyhow," and
fired the fatal shot, which passed into Comp-
ton's body in the inguinal region and lodged
in the spinal column. The poor man died
the next day.

Immediately after the shooting, Watson
started for home, brandishing his revolver
and making terrible threats of what he should
do if Compton should attempt to follow him.
He told several parties in bravado style tliat
he had killed Compton, and had a few more
pills left for any of his friends who might
sympathize with him. Late that evening he
was arrested.

The next month he was indicted for mur-
der in the first degree, and tried during that
term of court, Thomas F. Davidson, Judge.
The attorneys for the prosecution were Prose-
cutor A. P. Harrell, and Messrs. Jump &
Cnshman and K. B. Sears. As Watson was
poor and had no means to employ legal talent.
Judge Davidson appointed Messrs. Rhoads&
Parrett and J. C. Sawyers to defend him.
The jury consisted of William Collett, T. J.
Stark, Solomon Ilines, M. J. liudy, AVallace
Moore, William C. Groves, J. S. Shaner, R.
C. Jones, J. R. Gouty, J. R. Dunlap, Alfred
Carmack and John Van Duyn, who on the
first ballot unanimously found the accused
guilty. The usjial steps for a n,ew trial, coin-

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

mutation of sentence, etc., were made, but in
vain, and on the 3d of April, between 12 and
1 o'clock, Walter Watson was hanged in the
jail yard, in the presence of a few spectators,
who were admitted by ticket.

Ezra Compton, the murdered man, was a
young gentleman of integrity and high char-
acter, and had been married but four weeks.
By steady, hard manual labor, protracted for
six years, he had managed to save $1,300,
which but a few weeks previous to his mur-
der he had invested in general merchandise,
and was commencing as a merchant at High-
land, lie had not an enemy in the world,
except the high-tempered, unreasonable Wal-
ter Watson, a few hours before the linal
tragedy.

The renuiins of the executed criminal were
interred in Kelt's Prairie Cemetery, where
his father and others guarded the place
for several nights to prevent body-snatching
by physicians. Becoming weary of such
duty, they buried about six inches of heavy
plank over the coffin, making it a tedious task
for vandals to " resurrect " the remains.

Many citizens thought that Florence Wat-
son was as much to blame as Walter, if not
more, as he, knowing his brother's ungovern-
able temper, inflamed his passions by inti-
mating that Crompton was afraid to trust
him any more, etc., and left the county after-
ward refusing to help his accused brother.

But there is a sequel to the above tragedy,
portrayed in the Indianapolis Herald in terms
characteristic of the old-fashioned novel. It
describes Mrs. Watson as a remarkable hero-
ine. She was determined to accompany her
husband to the scaffold, despite the remon-
strance of all around her. One of the attend-
ing ministers remarks in gentle accents,
" Mrs. Watson, this will never do." As quick
as the lightning's flash she turned on him,
replying, " 1 should not have expected this

from a minister. When I was married I
promised a minister that I would cleave to
my husband ' for better or for worse,' and 1
am going to keep that promise as far as God
will let me."

Mrs. Watson was a small woman, but with
a great soul. Her face was a study for an
artist, being a blonde of pronounced tyjte,
with high and broad forehead, irregular
features, but exquisite in their delicacy fi,nd
mobility; eyes large and intelligent. At
one moment her mouth would indicate great
tenderness and sweetness of disposition, but
in an instant her lips would compress with a
firmness that would fill one with surprise.

She assisted in arranging her husband for
the final scene, and even contributed some
articles to his wardrobe — a neck-tie and a
pair of slippers. The latter, with her own
hands, she placed upon his feet, and put
the tie around his neck with a care and de-
tail that could not have been out of place had
she been decking him out for a mari-iage
feast. She then combed his hair, and, after
having finished the last loving touch, re-
marked, " Xow you are ready, Walter, and I
will go M'ith you." Holding her husband's
hand, the brave little woman accompanied
him to the scatfold, amid the stillness that
was absolutely painful. They took seats side
by side; she, tenderly taking his hand in
hers, caressed it, and then, giving away to
tears, she fell wailing upon his breast. Thus
they sat, while prayers ascended to heaven
asking mercy upon the doomed man, she
sobbing upon his bosom and he calm, await-
ing his fate.

The sheriff' changed the scene, saying,
" Stand up, Walter Watson." The wife arose
with him. " Good by, Walter," were her
parting words as she once more passionately
kissed him. Then turning her pale face, full
of bitterness and reproach, upon the specta-

GOVERNMENTAL.

tors, she fell into the loving arms of some
female friends and was borne away.

After the execution, the body of her dead
husband was delivered to her. She had been
weeping loud and bitterly, but she heroically
dried lier eyes, approached the coffin, looked
lovingly upon the dead face, kissed his lips,
eyes and brow, arranged the neck-tie with
tender hands once again, and quietly said,
" JS'ow please close the coffin and let no one
yce my Walter again. I cry no more. God
have mercy upon me and little baby! ''

EARLY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

The following are the names of all the jus-
tices of the peace, with dates of commissions,
who were appointed for Vermillion County
previous to 1830:

James Blair, Zeno Worth, William Ar-
nold, John Hair, Sr., Michael Patton, John
Porter, James Andrew and Joseph Schooling,
August 7, 1824; Christian Zabrisky, October
10, 1825; John Gardner, December 17,
1825; Samuel Paish, October 16, 1826; Nor-
man D. Palmer, IS'ovember 1, 1826; Jacob
Custer, March 19, 1827; John T. Chunn,
June 11, 1827; Isaac Keys, January 2, 1828;
John Anglin, February 24, 1828; John Ar-
mour, June 13, 1828; James Groenendyke,
June 13, 1828; John Payne, December 8,
1828; Thomas Chenoweth, June 19, 1829;
Joseph Shaw, September 18, 1829; George
Hansncker, September 18, 1829; Joseph
Schooling, September 18, 1829.

OFFICIAL REGISTER.

Below are given the names of the incum-
bents of the several county offices, with the
dates of their legal assumption of office,
from the organization of the county in 1824
to the present yer.r, 1887. The names and
dates are strictly correct, being obtained from

the official records in the Secretary of State's
office at Indianapolis.

William Fulton, February 1, 1824; Caleb
Bales, September 8, 1825; Charles Trow-
bridge, August 14, 1828; William Craig,
August 28,1832; Allen Stroud, August 16,
1834; William Bales, August 13, 1838;
Charles Trowbridge, August 8, 1842; Owen
Craig, August 20,1846; Eli Newlin, August
25, 1848;'Ricliard Potts, August 12, 1852;
James II. Weller, November 18, 1856; Isaac
Porter, November 18, I860: Harvey D.
Crane, November 18, 1861; Jacob S. Steph-
ens, November 18, 1868; Lewis II. Beck-
man, November 18, 1872; Spencer II.
Dallas, November 18, 1876; William C.
Myers, November 18, 1880; John A. Darby,
November 18, 1884.

CLERKS AND REOJRDERS.

James Thompson, April 22, 1824 (declined
to qualify); William Kennedy, September 8,
1824 (died in office); James T. Pendleton,
August 29, 1826; Stephen B. Gardner, Au-
gust 27, 1827; John W. Push. June 8,1833;
Alexander B. Florer, April 22, 1838. Offices
separated in the spring of 1852.

James A. Bell, April 22, 1852; William
E. Livengood, April 22, 1860; James A.
Bell, April 22, 1868; William Gibson, April
22, 1872; James Roberts, April 22, 1880;
Alfred R. Hopkins, April 22, 1884.

Alexander B. Florer, April 22, 1852; An-
drew F. Adams, November 2, 1861; Robert
E. Stephens, November 2, 1865; Jacob A.
Souders, November 2, 1874; Cornelius S.

Davis, October 26, 1878; Melville B. Carter,
November 13, 1886.

TREASURERS.

William Utter, November 23, 1852;
George 11. Sears, November 23, 1854;
George W. Englisb, November 23, 1856;
James A. Foland, November 23, 1860;
James A. Bell, November 23, 1864; Samuel
B. Davis, November 23, 1865; James A.
Foland, November 23, 1870; James Os-
borne, November 23, 1874; John H. Bogart,
November 23, 1876; Henry O. Peters, No-
vember 23, 1880; William L. Porter, Novem-
ber 23, 1884.

ASSOCIATE JUPGES.

Jacob Castleiuan, April 22, 1824 (resigned);
Jacob Andrick, April 22, 1824; Christian
Zabrisky, February 4, 1828; Joseph Hain,
Aug'.ist 14, 1828 (resigned on being elected
Judge); John Porter, April 22, 1831 (resign-
ed); Alexander Morehead, August 19, 1831;
Mattliew Stokes, JVJarch 4, 1835 (resigned);
Robert G. Roberts, August 18, 1835 (resign-
ed); Charles Johnston, July 11, 1836; Joseph
Shaw, August 9, 1836 (removed from coun-
ty); Alexander Morehead, April 22, 1838
(resigned) ; Joel Hume, August 27, 1838
(resigned); Ashley Harris, August 11, 1840;
Eli Brown, August 11, 1840 (removed from
county); James M. Morris, October 17, 1842.
Office abolished by Constitution of 1852.

PROBATE JUDGES.

Asaph Hill, August 14, 1829; John W.
Rush, January 8, 1833 (resigned); Rezin
Shelby, May 6, 1833; Francis Chenoweth,
August 19, 1847. Office abolished by Con-
stitution of 1852.

AUIIITORS.

David Shelby, August 30, 1854; Henry D.
Washburn, June 7, 1856; George W. English,

November 18, 1860; James Tarrence, No-
vember 18, 1864; Thomas Cnshman, Novem-
ber 18, 1872; Elias Pritchard, November 18,
1880.

SURVEYORS.

Greenup Castleman, March 6, 1824; James
Osborn, November 11, 1826; John Collett.
August 30, 1854; Edward Griffin, November
18, 1856; John Fleming, November 2,1857;
David Shelby, November 2, 1859; B. E.
Rhoads, November 2, 1860; Daniel Shelby,
November 2, 1861; James M. Lacy, Novem-
ber 7, 1862; Buskin E. Rhoads, November 2,
1863; John Davis, November 7, 1864;
Martin G. Rhoads, October 28, 1865; Will-
iam F.Henderson, October 26, 1870; John
Henderson, October 30, 1872; Richard Hen-
derson, October 30, 1874; John Ilendei-son,
October 30, 1876; Piatt Z. Anderson, Octo-
ber 30, 1878; Fred Rush, November 13,
1884.

CORONERS.

Matthew Stokes, September 8, 1824; Carter
Hollingsworth, August 29, 1826; Matthew
Stokes, August 14, 1828; Edward Marlow,
August 28, 1832; Matthew Stokes, August
16, 1834 (resigned); Peter J. Yandever,
August 18, 1835; Alfred T. Duncan, August
9, 1836; William Malone, August 14, 1837;
Leonard P. Coleman, August 10, 1841; Will-
iam Malone, August 8, 1842; Durham Hood,
August 23, 1844; Daniel C. Sanders, August
25, 1848; Joseph E. Ilepner, August 23,
1850; Andrew Dennis, August 12, 1852;
John Vanduyn, August 30, 1854; Robert
Elliott, November 18, 1856; David Smith,
November 2, 1857; George Luellen, Novem-
ber 18, 1858; John L. Howard, November 2,
1861; R. Harlow Washburn, October 30,
1868; Tliomas Brindley, October 30, 1870;
Hezekiah Casebeer, October 30, 1880;
Thomas Brindley, October 30, 1882,

OOVERNMENTAL.

EARLY CAMPAIGNIMG.

As a relic of tlie enthusiasm -wliicli existed
in the old Whig party at the date mentioned,
the following letter will prove interesting.
It was signed l>j prominent citizens of Per-
rysville.

Pekeysville, Ind., July 10, 1844.
Dk. R. M. Waterman, Lodi:

Respected Sir: — Owing to the political
excitement of the times, and to the expected
visit of Mr. R. W. Thompson to our place on
next Friday, with all creation besides, we

have been induced to ask you to favor the
AVhigs of this place with the loan of your
cannon for PMday next. We wish to put a
stop to the noise of this little loco-foco pocket
piece, with a few rounds from a Whig gun.
Yours, etc.,
Thomas II. Smith, — Parnes, John Kirk-
patrick, David Hulick, James Plair, P. H.
P.oyd, M. Gookins, C. R. Jewett, R. Haven,
W. II. Prown, Joseph Cheadle, AV. P. Mof-
fatt, J. S. Paxter, R. J. Gessie, S. Parnes,
A. Hill, C. F. McNeill, Jacob Sherfy, Austin
Pishop, J. S. Stephens, P. R. Howe, John R,
McNeill, A. Dennis, G. II. McNeill.

UISTOItY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

'HE greatest difference
l)et\\een the Northern
and the Southern States
of this Union evidently
lias always related to
the institution of slave-
ry; but thib, in the early his-
tory of the republic, engendered
other prejudices, especially in
the South against the customs
of the Yankee, so that, in course
of time, and in accordance with
that feature of human nature'
licli inclines to find other
faults than the main one with
the opposite party, the South-
ern people began to hate the Northern more
on account of certain " Yankee" customs than
on account of abolitionism itself. Like a
mass of food in a nauseated stomach, the
slavery question would not remain settled,
after all the attempts at compromise in 1820,
1850 and 1854, so that, on the approach of
the Presidential election of 1860, it became
evident, on account of the division of the
Democratic party, that the " abolition " party

would for the first time elect their nominee
for President of the United States. He was
elected, and the most hot-headed Southern
State immediately led off in a reltellion, other
States following during the winter. They
mustered their military forces, and by the
12th of April, 1861, concluded they were
ready to commence shooting. On that day
they opened upon Fort Sumter and comjielled
it to surrender.

As to the part taken by the Vermillion
County people in suppressing this great in-
surrection, we give a brief sketch of the re-
spective regiments in which this county wa»
represented by volunteers.

FOCKTEENTH IXFANTRY.

The patriotism of Vermillion County was
quick to demonstrate itself, as a company was
formed at Clinton within three or four weeks
after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the
first overt act of rebellion. This was organ-
ized as Company I of the Fourteenth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, with Philander E. Owen
as Captain, who was during the war promoted
Lieutenant Colonel, when John Lindsey was

«SS«??sa«is5S?

^^iga«5gB gMg»gBgg.fa' ^?ag 5»y»^"i^»«^ ; ^

THE CIVIL WAR.

commissioned Captain to sncceed him. Cap-
tain Lindsey, who enlisted as First Lieuten-
ant, was mustered out June 24, 1864, on the
expiration of his term. Upon his promotion
to the position of Captain, William P. Has-
kell, who had been appointed Second Lieuten-
ant of the organization, was commissioned
First Lieutenant to till the vacancy, and was
discharged November 25, 1863, for promo-
tion in the Fourth liegimentof United States
colored troops. James M. Mitchell was pro-
moted tVom the ottice of Second Lieutenant
to that of P''irst Lieutenant. The Colonels
of the Fourteenth, in succession, were: Na-
than Kimball, of Loogootee, who was pro-
moted Brigadier General; William Harrow,
of Vincennes, also promoted, and John Coons,
of Vincennes, who was killed in the battle of
Spottsylvania • Court-House, Virginia, May
12, 1864.

The Fourteenth Regiment was originally
organized at Camp Vigo, near Terre Haute,
in May, 1861, as one of the six regiments of
State troops accepted for one year. Upon the
call for three years troops the regiment vol-
unteered almost unanimously for that ser-
vice. The new organization was mustered
into the United States service at Terre Haute,
June 7, 1861, being the lirst three years regi-
ment mustered into service in the whole State
of Indiana. On its organization there were
1,134 men and otiicers. They left Indianap-
olis July 5, fully armed and equipped, for the

seat ot war

Western Vi

•gini

They

served on outpost duty until October, when
they had their first engagement at Cheat
Mountain, with Lee's army, losing three
killed, eleven wounded and two prisoners.
Their second engagement was vii'tually in the
same battle, at Greenbrier, October 3, when
they lost live killed and eleven wounded.

March 23, 1862, under General Shields,
Colonel Kimball and Lieutenant Colonel Har- |

row, they participated in the decisive battle
of Winchester, when they lost four killed
and fifty wounded.

Besides a great deal of marching and other
duty, they marched 839 miles between May
12 and June 23, a part of which time most
of the men were without shoes and short of
rations. In July, for some twenty days, they
were kept on outpost duty in the Army of
the Potomac, coming in contact with the
enemy almost night and day. August 17
they participated in the great battle of
Antietam, serving in Kimball's brigade of
French's division, it being the only portion
of the line of battle tliat did not, at some
time during the engagement, give waj'. On
this account the men received from General
French the title of the "Gibraltar Brigade."
The Fourteenth was engaged for four hours
within sixty yards of the enem3''s line, and,
after exhaustiiig sixty rounds of cartridges,
they supplied themselves with others from
the boxes of their dead and wounded com-
panions. In this fight the men were reduced
in number from 320 to 150 ! Soon afterward
they were still further reduced at the battle
of Fredericksburg.

April 28, 1863, being a little recruited by
some of the wounded recovering, they were
at the front in the battle of Chancellorsville,
and also at the desperate battle of Gettysburg,
where they lost heavily, but did splendid
work. Even after this they engaged in sev-
eral severe fights, and some of the men re-
enlisted, December 24, 1863. This noble
regiment — what there was left of it — was
finally mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky,
July 12, 1865.

SIXTEENTH INFANTRY.

This was first organized in May, 1861, as a
one-year regiment, containing some volun-
teers from Vermillion County. Pleasant A

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

Hackleman, of Eusliville, wasthe first Colonel,
and, on his promotion- to the brigadier-
generalship, Thomas J. Lucas, of Lawrence-
bnrg, was placed as Colonel. Horace S.
Crane, of Clinton, this county, was mustered
in as Second Lieutenant of Company I, and
mustered out w-ith the regiment as Sergeant.
May 27, 1862, this was re-organized for
three years service, but was not mustered in
until the nineteenth of August. On the 30tli
of this month it took part in the battle of
Richmond, Kentucky, losing 200 men killed
and wounded and 600 prisoners! After the
defeat the prisoners were paroled and sent to
Indianapolis, and were exchanged November
1. The regiment afterward participated in
the Vicksburg campaign, and did great duty
in Texas and at Arkansas Post, where it was
the first to plant the Union colors within the
fort. Its loss was seventy-seven men, killed
and wounded. In April it participated in a
successful engagement at Port Gibson, and
during the ensuing several mouths it was
engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, in which
it lost sixty men, killed and wounded. Sub-
sequently it had several skirmishes with the
enemy in Louisiana, and, in the expedition
np the Red River, sixteen engagements. The
regiment was mustered out at New Orleans,
June 30, 1865.

EIGHTEENTH INFANTKV.

Company C, of this regiment, was wholly
made up of Yermillion's noble sons, and all
its officers in the roster are credited to New-
port. John C. Jcnks was promoted from
Captain to Major; James A. Bell, from First
Lieutenant to Captain; Josiah Campbell and
William B. Hood, from private to Captain;
Harvey D. Crane and Oscar B. Lowroy, from
Sergeants to First Lieutenants; William II.
Burtut was promoted from private to First
Lieutenant; AVilliam M, Mitchell, from pri-

vate to Second Lieutenant; William W.Zener,
from First Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, and
then to Adjutant; Jasper Nebeker was Second
Lieutenant, and died in the service; Robert
H. Nixon and John Anderson wer eSergeants;
the Corporals were Samuel B. Davis, soon
disabled by disease, and now editor of the
Iloosier State; John F. Stewart, James O.
Boggs, Alonzo Hostetter, Aaron Ilise, James
Henry, Charles Gerrish and John A. Henry.
John F. Leighton, of the recruits, was pro-
moted from the ranks to the position of Cor-
poral. Hugh H. Conley, another recruit,
has since become a prominent citizen of the
county.

Thomas Pattison, of Aurora, was the first
Colonel of the Eighteenth, and on his resigna-
tion, June 3, 1862, Henry D. Washburn, of
Newport, succeeded him. The latter was
brevetted Brigadier General December 15,
1864, and mustered out July 15, 1865.

The first service rendered b}' this regiment
— which was mustered in August 16, 1861
— was in Fremont's march to Springfield,
Missouri. Soon afterward at Black Water,
it participated in capturing a large number
of prisoners. In March, 1862, it was en-
gaged in the fierce contest at Pea Ridge,
where its brigade saved from capture another
brigade, and the Eighteenth recaptured the
guns of the Peoria Artillery. After several
minor engagements in Arkansas it returned
to Southeastern Missouri, where it was on
duty during the ensuing winter. The fol-
lowing spring it was transferred to Grant's
army, and, as part of the divis'ion commanded
by General Carr, participated in the flanking
of the enemy's position at Grand Gulf, and
May 1, in the battle at Port Gilison, captur-
ing a stand of colors and some artillery; also,
on the 15th, at Champion Hills, and on the
ITtli, at Black River Bridge. From the lUtli
until July 4, it was employed in the fanmus

siege of Vicksburg, where, during the assault,
it was tlie first regiment to plant its colors on
the enemy's works.

After tlie capitulation of Vicksburg, July
4, 1863, the regiment moved to New Orleans,
and during the fall participated in the cam-
paign up the Teche River, and in the opera-
tions in that part of Louisiana. November
12, it embarked for Texas, wliere, on tlie 17tli,
it was engaged in the capture of a fort on
Mustang Island, and also in the successful
attack on Fort Esperanza, on the 26th. After
a furlough, in the winter and spring of 1864,
it joined General Butler's forces at Bermuda
Hundred, in July, where it had several severe
skirmishes. August 19, it joined General
Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah. In the
campaign that followed, the regiment par-
ticipated in t-he battle of Opequan, losing
fifty-four, killed and wounded; also, in the
pursuit and defeat of Early, seven killed and
wounded; and in the battle of Cedar Creek,
October 19, losing fifty-one, killed and wound-
ed, besides thirty-five prisoners.

From the middle of January, 1805, for
three months, the Eighteenth was assisting in
building fortifications at Savannah. May 3,
it was the first to raise the stars and stripes
at Augusta, Georgia. "Was mustered out
August 28, 1865.

THIKTY-FIKST INFANTRY.

This regiment, in which were a number of
volunteers from Vermillion Count}-, was or-
ganized at Terre Haute, September 15, 1861,
for three years' service. The colonels were,
in order, Charles Cruft, of Terre Haute, John
Osborn, of Bowling Green, John T. Smith,
of Bloomfield, and James E. Hallowell, of
Bellmore. It participated in the decisive
battle of Fort Donelson; in the battle of
Shiloh, where it lost twenty-two killed, 110
wounded and ten missing; in the siege of

Corinth; was stationed at various places in
Tennessee; engaged in the battle of Stone
Iviver and Chattanooga, of the Atlanta cam-
paign, Nashville, etc., and was on duty in the
Southwest until late in the fall of 1865,
many months after the termination of the
war.

FOETY-THIRD INFANTRY.

Company I, of this regiment, was from
Vermillion County. Samuel J. Hall was
Captain from the date of muster, October 9,
1861, to January 7, 1865, the close of his
term of enlistment; and then Robert B.
Sears was Captain until the regiment was
mustered out. He was promoted from the
position of Corporal to that of First Lieuten-
ant, and finally to that of Captain. David A.
Ranger, of Toronto, was First Lieutenant.
William L. Martin, of Newport, was first the
Second and then the First Lieutenant. George
W. Shewmaker was Second Lieutenant for the
first seven and a half months. John Love-
lace was first a private and then Second Lieu-
tenant.

George K. Steele, of Rockville, was Colo-
nel of the regiment until January 16, 1862;
William E. McLean, of Terre Haute, until
May 17, 1865, and John C. Major from that
time till the regiment was mustered out.

The first engagement this regiment had
was the sieges of New Madrid and Island
No. 10. Next it was attached to Commodore
Foote's gunboat fleet in the reduction of Fort
Pillow, serving sixty-nine days in that cam-
paign. It was the first Union regiment to
land in the city of Memphis, and, with the
Forty-sixth Indiana, constituted the en-
tire garrison, holding that place for two
weeks, until reinforced. In July, 1862, the
Forty-third was ordered up AVhite River,
Arkansas, and subsequently to Helena. At
the l)attle at this place a year afterward, the

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

regiment was especially distinguished, alone
supporting a battery that was three times
charged by the enemy, repulsing each at-
tack, and linally capturing a full rebel regi-
ment larger in point of numbers than its own
strength.

It aided in the capture of Little Kock. At
this place, January 1, 1864, the regiment re-
enlisted, numbering aboiit 400. Next it was
in the battles of Elkins' Ford, Jenkins'
Ferry, Camden and Marks' Mills, near Saline
River. At the latter place, April 30, the
brigade to which it was attached, while guard-
ing a train of 400 wagons returning from
Camden to Pine Bluffs, was furiously attacked
by about 6,000 of Marmaduke's cavalry. The
Forty-third lost nearly 200 in killed, woiinded
and missing in this engagement. Among
the captured were 104 of the re-enlisted vet-
erans.

The regiment next came home on veteran
furlough, but while enjoying this vacation
they volunteered to go to Frankfort, Ken-
tucky, which was threatened by Morgan's
cavalry, and where they remained until the
rebel forces left Central Kentucky. For the
ensuing year it guarded the rebel prisoners at
Camp Morton, near Indianapolis. After the
war was over it was among the first regi-
ments mustered out, being mustered oxit at
Indianapolis, June 14, 1865. Of the 164
men captured from this regiment in Arkansas
and taken to the rebel prison at Tyler, Texas,
ten or twelve died.

SEVENTY-FIRST INFANTRY, SUBSEQUENTLY THE
SIXTH CAVALRY.

Company A of this regiment was exclu-
sively from Yermillion County. Andrew J.
Dowdy, of Clinton, was Ca])tain; Robert
Bales, of Clinton, First Lieutenant; William
O. Norris, of the same place. Second Lieuten-
ant, killed at the battle of Richmond,

Kentucky; Joseph Hasty, from Newport,
succeeded him as Second Lieutenant; First
Sergeant, William O. Washburn, of Clinton;
Sergeants — Francis D. Weber, of Newport,
Johnson Malone, Alexander M. Staats and
George W. Scott, of Clinton; Corporals —
Joseph Brannan, Richard M. Rucker, Lewis
H. Beckman, Larkin Craig, Daniel Buntin,
Reuben H. Glearwaters, John L. Harris and
Charles Blanford; Musicians, George W. Har-
bison and James Simpson. Most of these
were credited to Clinton, though some of
them, as well as many of the privates, which
were accredited to Clinton, and some to New-
port, were from Helt Township.

The Colonel of this regiment was James
Biddle, of Indianapolis.

The Seventy-first was first organized as in-
fantry, at Terre Haute, in July and August,
1862. Its first duty was to repel the invasion
of Kirby Smith in Kentucky. August 30 it
was engaged in the battle of Richmond, Ken-
tucky, with a loss of 215 killed and wounded,
and 847 prisoners. After the latter were ex-
changed, 400 men and ofiicers of the regiment
were sent to Mnldraugh's Hill to guard tres-
tle work; and on the following day they were
attacked by a force of 4,000 rebels under
command of General John H. Morgan, and
after an engagement of an hour and a half
were surrounded and captured. The remain-
der of the regiment then returned to Indian-
apolis, where they remained until August 26,
1863.

During the ensuing autumn, with two ad-
ditional companies, L and M, they were or-
ganized as a cavalry regiment, and were sent
into Eastern Tennessee, where they engaged
in the siege of Knoxville and in the opera-
tions against General Longstreet, on the IIol-
ston and Clinch rivers, losing many men in
killed and wounded. ISfay 11, 1S04, they
joined General Sherman's ai-my in front of

TSE CIVIL WAR.

Dal ton, Georgia, wlierc it was assigned to the
cavalry corps of the Army of the Ohio, com-
manded by General Stonenian. They en-
gaged in the battles of Resaca, Cassville,
Kenesaw Monntain, etc., aided in the capture
of Alatoona Pass, and was the first to take
possession of and raise the flag upon Lost
Monntain. In Stoneinan's raid to Macon,
Georgia, tlie Sixth Cavalry lost 166 men.

Returning to Nashville for another equip-
ment, it aided General Rousseau in defeating
Forrest at Pulaski, Tennessee, September 27,
and pursued him into Alabama. In the en-
gagement at Pnlaski the regiment lost twenty-
three men. December 15 and 16 it participated
in the battle at Nashville, and, after the re-
pulse of Hood's army, followed it some dis-
tance. In June, 1865, a portion of the men
were mustered out of the service. The re-
mainder were consolidated with the residual
fraction of the Fifth Cavalry, constituting
the Sixth Cavalry, ami they were mustered
out in September following.

EIGHTY-FIFTU INFANTKV.

Company D, of this regiment, was made
up from the southern portion of Vermillion
County. William Reeder, of Rockville, was
Captain until June 10, 1863, and thencefor-
ward Caleb Bales, of Toronto, was Captain,
being promoted from the rank of Second
Lieutenant. The vacancy thus made was
fllled by Elisha Pierce, of Clinton, who was
promoted from the position of First Sergeant.
The Sergeants were James W. Taylor, of To-
ronto, William A. Richai'dson, John A. C.
Norris and David Mitchell, of Clinton; and
the Corporals were Brazier E. Henderson,
Ben White, Samuel Craig, James Andrews,
Valentine Foos, Harrison Pierce, Joseph Foos
n;id Wesley A. Brown. Musicians, Andrew
•I. Owen and John A. Curry.

The Colonels of the Eighty-fifth were John

P. Baird, of Terre Haute, to July 20, 1864,
and Alexander B. Crane, of the same city,
until the mustering out of the regiment.

This regiment was organized at Terre
Haute, September 2, 1862. Its first engage-
ment was with Forrest, with Colonel John
Coburn's brigade, March 5, 1863, when the
whole brigade was captured. The men Avere
marched to Tullahoma, and then transported
to Libby Prison at Richmond, amid much
suffering, many dying along the route.
Twenty-six days after their incarceration the
men were exchanged, and stationed at Frank-
lin, Tennessee, where they fought in skir-
mishes until Bragg's army fell back. The
following summer, fall and winter the Eighty-
fifth remained in the vicinity of Murfrees-
boro, guarding the railroad from Nashville
to Chattanooga. It participated in every im-
portant engagement in the Atlanta campaign,
being in the terrible charge upon Resaca, and
in the battles at Cassville, Dallas Woods, Gol-
gotha Church, Gulp's Farm and Peach Tree
Creek. At the last mentioned place it did
deadly work among the rebels.

This brave regiment then followed Sher-
man in his grand march to the sea, and back
through the Carolinas, engaging in several
battles. At Averysboro it was the directing
regiment, charging the rebel works through
an open fleld, but suffered greatly. It de-
stroyed a half mile of railroad in forty min-
utes, corduroyed many miles of wagon road,
and after a twenty-mile march one day it
worked hard all night making a road up a
steep, muddy bluff, for which they were
highly complimented by Generals Siierman
and Slocum, M'ho had given directions for the
work and were eye witnesses to its execution.
After several other important movements, it
had the pleasure of looking as proud victors
upon Libby Prison, where so many of them
had suffered in captivity in 1802. Marching

HISrORY OF YBllMILLION COUNTY.

to Washington, it was mustered out of ser-
vice, June 12, 1865. The remaining recruits
were transferred to the Thirty-third Indiana,
who were mustered out July 21, at Louisville,
Kentucky.

THE ONE HUMDRED AND

FANTKY,

WENTV-NINTH IN-

contaiiiing Company K from Vermillion
County, was recruited from the Tenth Con-
gressional District during the winter of
18G3-'64, rendezvoused at Michigan City,
and was mustered into service March 1, 1864,
with Charles Case, of Fort Wayne, as Colo-
nel, and Charles A. Zollinger, of the san:e
city, as Lieutenant Colonel. Of Company K,
John Q. Washburn, of Newport, was Captain;
Joseph Simpson, of Highland, First Lieuten-
ant, and the Second Lieutenants in succession
were Thomas C. Swan, of Clinton, Joseph
Simpson, of Highland, William F. Eddy, of
Warsaw, and James Roberts, of Clinton.
Henrj' J. Howard, of Toronto, was Sergeant.
Corporals — Jasper Hollingsworth, Granville
Gideon and John A¥. Nixon, of this county,
besides others from other counties.

After marching a great deal, the first bat-
tle in which the One Hundred and Twenty-
ninth regiment engaged was the severe contest
at Resaca, opening the celebrated campaign
of Atlanta. This was a great victory for the
Union troops. Tiie next battle was that at
New Hope Church. Before and after this,
however, there was almost constant skirmish-
in very rainy weather. July 19, 1864,

the regiment was

igage

d in a severe fitjht

near Decatur, Georgia, where they lost heav-
ily. Soon afterward they were in the fight
at Strawberry Run, where they lost twenty-
five men, but enabled General Hascall toturn
a position whicli our forces, a brigade of Gen-

eral Schofield's corps, had failed to turn the
day before.

Thence, until mid-winter, tlie regiment
were kept busy guai'ding and engaging in
skirmishes. November 29 occurred the bat-
tle of Franklin, where the enemy were re-
pulsed with great loss. During the latter
portion of the winter they were marching
and skirmisliing around near the coast of
Virginia and North Carolina, and engaged in
the battle of Wise's Forks, where the enemy
met with signal disaster. The regiment was
engaged in provost duty about Raleigh dur-
ing the summer of 1865, and August 29 was
miistered out of the service.

CONCLUSION.

The foregoing is of course but a meager
outline of what the brave patriots of Ver-
million County did for their country during
the last war; and those who did not go to the
battle-field did their duty also, in giving
moral support to the Government and labor-
ing with heart and hand in raising materia!
supplies and comforts for these in the field.
Soldiers' aid societies, county and township
levies, etc., were forthcoming in due time,
and tlie people of this division of the com-
monwealth were not behind in those noble
and terribly self-sacrificing offices which a
gigantic insurrection devolves upon them.

It would be a pleasure were we able to
print here a list of the soldier dead of Ver-
million County in glowing colors; but a list
only of those in Vermillion Township has
been compiled, and we concluded that unless
we could get all we had better not print any.
It is to be hoped that the Grand Army of
the Republic in this county will be able in
the course of time to complete the list.

MISCELLANEOUS.

^^3^,^^^ , _^^,^-^^ , „^^- , ^^^^-^,^^^^^^^^,^

ll MISCELLANEOUS, i 0,

J:^^^^^^:^^:^:^^^^^::^^^^^:^-^^:^^^^^

RAILROADS.

CHICAGO & E.\STERN IIXIXOIS.

lIOUGir railroad lines
running cast and west
t li ro VI g li Vermillion
County were projected
as long ago as 1847,
the north and south
line was first coni-
ted, is the most important in
county, and will therefore be
■ first topic under this head.
The division from Evansville to
re Haute was built as early as
)3-'54:; but the link tlirough
s county, connecting Terre
Haute with Danville was not completed until
it was taken up by Josephus Collett, Jr., in
1868-'69. This wealthy and enterprising gen-
tleman, with the assistance of O. P. Davis,
Nathan Harvey, William E. Livengood, Jo-
seph B. Cheadle and others, held rousing
mass meetings throughout the county, when
they explained the advantages of the road and
the feasibility of building it with a very light
tax. But little opposition or indifference was

manifested. All tlie townships in the county,
in 1869, voted for a two per cent tax — the
limit of the law — or, rather, one per cent, in
addition to the one per cent, voted b}' the
county, provided it should be needed.

While this enterprise was pending, a few
men elsewhere organized themselves as the
" Eaccoon A^alley Eailroad Company," osten-

Har

nony,

Clay

sibly to build a road fror
County, to a point on the State line near the
road-bed of the old " Indiana & Illinois Cen-
tral liailroad Company," passing through
Clay, Parke and Vermillion counties; but it
was generally supposed by the citizens here
that that was merely a ruse, just prior to the
vote to be taken on the north and south line,
to defeat the latter. Additional discourage-
ment was also derived from other projected
east and west lines, notably the narrow-gauge
route through Eugene Township, in which
the people along the line felt much interest.

The ensuing election, however, gave a de-
cided majority for aiding the nortli and south
line, then called the "Evansville, Terre
Haute & Chicago Eailroad." This, under
the management of Mr. Collett was com-
pleted, in 1870, to the great joy of the peo-

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

pie of Vermillion County, but not " to the
joy " of most of tlie villages along the route;
for, strange to say, it seemed to be the object
of those in power to work in the interests of
Terre Hante and Dauville, and accordingly
located the road a mile or so distant from all
the villages on and near the M-est bank of the
Wabash except Clinton. This location of the
road has had the desired effect, iu building
up Terre Haute and Danville. To prove the
advantages of railroad communication, even
Clinton has been set forward of all the other
towns in the county.

Mr. Collett was made president of this sec-
tion of the road, which position he held until
May 1, 1880, when the link was leased to the
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Company, the
present operators. The subsequent year ef-
forts were made for leasing the whole line to
the Louisville & Nashville, and were nearly
successful. The present lessee pays the pro-
prietors $75,000 a year rental, besides all
taxes and expeuses for repairs. The road has
a funded debt of $1,100,000, the interest on
which is six per cent.

On this line there are 34^ miles of main
track, which in 1880 was assessed at $17,000
per mile; seven miles of side-track, assessed
at $2,500 per mile, and rolling stock at
$1,300.

The stations arc, in order commencing at
the south — Clinton, Summit Grove, Hills-
dale, Opeedce, Newport, Walnut Grove,
Cayuga (or Eugene), Perrysville, Gessie,
Riley sburg and perhaps two or three ]ioints
of less importance.

INDIANAl'OLIS, BLOOMINGTON it WESTKUN.

The first railroad proposed through Vermil-
lion County was an cast and west line, through
the northern portion, projected as early as 1847,
and known in short as the Wabash route, to
run from Toledo, Ohio, to Springtield, Illinois.

Stock was subscribed in this county, and a
route surveyed. The first eifort was to build
the road to Paris and then to St. Louis; and
after considerable grading was done, the en-
terprise was placed under anew management,
who located the road through La Fayette,
Attica, Danville and Springfield to St. Louis,
and completed it in 1851-'52, without touch-
ing any part of this county. After the final
location of the road in this jnanner the people
of Vermillion, of course, lost all interest iu it.
This road has had various names: at present it
is known as the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific.
The most active men here to work for the
location of this road through Vermillion
County were James Blair, J. F. Smith, J. N.
Jones, of Perrysville, and Joseph Moore and
Robert A. Barnett, of Eugene.

After struggling and waiting for many
tedious years, a company was finally formed
which was accommodating enough to'give \gy-
million County two and one-fifth miles of track
and a flag station, completing it in 1871-'72.
This has long been known as the Indianapolis,
Bloomington & Western Railway Company,
but we understand they have recently been
merged into another, comprising an extendeii
system of railways. In 1880 their track in
this county was assessed at $6,700 per mile.

TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS & KANSAS CITY RAILWAY (nAR-

kow-gauge).

In this road the citizens of Eugene Town-
ship were more interested than any other
section of the county. They took subscrip-
tions and voted a tax, but the original com-
pany failed to come to time and did not
realize subscriptions, stock or tax. The link
here was then known as the Frankfort &
State Line Road. The Toledo, Cincinnati &
St. Louis Railroad Company constructed the
road, of a narrow gauge, in 1882, but, like
the other company, left the village of Eugene

MISCELLANEOUS.

223

a mile and a half to one side, crossing the
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Road at Cayuga.
About two years ago the company was re-
organized under the name given in our head-
ing, and proceeded immediately to enlarge
the track to the standard width, put on first-
class rolling stock and made the road in all
respects as good as the best.

The longest bridge on its route is across
tiie Wabash opposite Eugene, having five
spans of 160 feet each. Of this line there
are eight and a half miles of main track in
his county, assessed in 1880 at $12,000 per
mile, and one mile of side track, assessed at
$(100.

INDIANAPOLIS, KECATUR ,V SPRINGFIELD.

This railway was completed about 1874,
without much ado in raising stock, or sub-
scriptions or tax in this county. Many years
ago, about 1852-'5-4, — during the great period
of railroad projects every where, — the "Indiana
& Illinois Central Railway Company" nearly
completed the grading on this route. The
road is now leased from the old Indianapolis,
Bloom ington & Western Railway Company.
It has nine and a half miles of main track in
this county, assessed in 1880 at $5,000 per
mile, and the rolling stock at $1,700. It has
two stations in Vermillion County, namely —
Hillsdale, where it crosses the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois track, and Dana, an enter-
prising town two and a half miles east of the
State line.

AGRICULTURAL.

Every acre of Yermillion County is good
farming land. About one-fourth the area
was originally prairie, and most of this prairie
is of the common black-soil variety. Nearly
all the rest of the county is second bottom.
All this area, Ijping easily and well drained,
is available for profitable cultivation. The

lower bottom lands are rich, much of it being
subject to inundations, which leave a sediment
equal to the best compost, and are therefore
the best for corn, except that the floods and
frosts are often untimely. As high as si.xty-
five bushels of wheat to the acre, and 110
bushels of corn, have been raised in Yermil-
lion County.

In pioneer times hemp, flax and cotton
were raised here to a considerable extent.
The flax and cotton were "home-made" into
clothing. Every cabin was a factory, on a
small scale. The machinery for the manu-
facture of flax consisted of a brake, a wooden
knife to swingle out shives witli, and a hackle
to remove the tow and straighten out the lint.
They also used the small spinning-wheel
("jenny") to twist it into thread. For cot-
ton, a hand gin was used, and hand cai-ds
were employed to make it into rolls, which
were spun into thread upon a large spinning-
wheel. A day's work for a woman was to
card and spin from six to eight cuts. Ready-
made clothing was not then known. Nearly
every man was his own shoemaker. Some of
the settlers employed an itinerant cobbler,
who went from house to house in the fall and
winter seasons with hiskit of tools, which was
quite limited, and boarded with the family
where he worked until they were shod all
around, or until the leather was all used up.
If there was not enough to go round the
youngest had to go barefoot all winter, which
was frequently the case.

At first the settlers could not enter less
than 160 acres of land, M'hich at the Congress
price, $2 an acre, amounted to more than
most of the settlers could pay. This hardship,
however, was soon recognized by Congress,
who reduced the amount that might be en-
tered to forty acres, and the price to $1.25,
so that any one who could raise $50 could
obtain a respectable home.

lii

Agricultural history strictly involves more
statistics than the average reader has the pa-
tience to study, or even refer to, and we must
therefore omit at least the details, contenting
ourselves with only a few general results.

Of wheat there was raised in Vermillion
County, in 1880, 635,501 bushels; 1881,
307,938 bushels; 1882,569,i20 bushels; 1883,
14,955 bushels; 1884, 411,624 bushels.

Of corn, in bushels, there was raised, in
1880, 662,701 ; 1881, 564,108 ; 1882, 970,051 ;
1883, 832,260; 1884, 1,126,065.

Of oats, during those years, from 54,000
to 104,000 bushels was raised; of barley, from
none to 1,760 bushels; of rye, from 100 to
6,180 bushels; Irish potatoes, 18,000 to
37,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, 48 to 840
bushels; buckwheat, 160 bushels (only the
crop for 1883 is reported); tobacco, from 200
to 3,000 pounds; timothy seed saved, 200 to
800 bushels.

The diminution of certain crops does not
indicate actual decline of the agricultural
interest generalh', as more ground is devoted
to pasturage certain periods than others.

A county agricultural society was organ-
ized in 1866, the tirst year after the termina-
tion of the war, and a successful fair held.
That society continued to bold annual -ex-
liibitions on their grounds northeast of New-
port until 1879, when, apparently on account
of the railroad running through the grounds
and becoming more and more a nuisance,
public interest so declined that they practi-
cally disbanded. In 1880 a joint stock com-
pany was orgaTiized, but they failed to do
anything. Last year, liowever, two agri-
cultural associations were organized in this
county, namely, the Vermillion County Fair
Association, liaving its headquartei-s at Eu-
gene, and the Vermillion County Joint Stock
Societ}', with ]iead(]uarters at Newport. Both
held fairs last year, the latter with success,

but the former with a red need aggregate of
receipts on account of rainy weather. Tiiey
will try it again this year. At the Newport
fair, which was held the first week of Octo-
ber, the total receipts were over $2,200.
Every premium was paid in full. Two hun-
dred and fifty stalls were occupied by horses
and cattle, steam water-works and reser-
voirs. No drunkenness nor gambling on the
ground, and everything passed otf (quietly.

rOPCLATION AND WEALTH.

Townships,

Personal prop-

inchuling

Pop. in

erly in

towns. Sq. miles.

1880.

1883.

Clinton, 42

3,000

S 643,675

Helt, 72

3,027

1,411,745

Vermillion, 45

2,215

1,086,385

Eugene, 33

1,340

680,870

Highland, 00

2,433
12,015

1,300,950

257

$5,123,625

The data for tlie above figures are some-
what characterized by discrepancy, but for
practical purposes they are sufhciently exact.
The real estate is estimated at about §6,000,-
000 for the county. The total wealth of tlie
county may now be given in round numbers
at about $12,000,000.

The taxes in 1880 were, for State purposes,
$17,219; county, $21,683; town, village and
school district, $16,962. The bonded debt
then was $27,600; floating, $100; no sink-
ing fund.

There were, in 1880, forty-seven manufac-
turing establishments, with an invested
capital of $127,700, employing 105 hands,
to whom were paid in wages that year (end-
ing May 31, 1880), $22,025; value of materi-
als, $166,732; of products, $222,946.

Tlie population of most of the villages
grown a great deal since the last Federal cen-
sus was taken. The estimates given by th

MISCELLANEOUS.

residents of the respective villages are given
in the township histories on succeeding
pages. The school enumeration, being about
one-tliird of the total population, gives cor-
roboration of the estimates adopted.

It has often been a subject of remark that
there is something aT)out Vermillion County
that is very favorable to longevity. In 1877
it was ascertained that there were ninety-six
voters in the county between seventy and
eighty years of age, nineteen between eighty
and ninety, and two over ninet3-. At that
time Jesse Richmond was the oldest man in
the county, being ninety-five years of age,
and his wife, who was then still living, was
ninety-four years old.

THOKOUGHFAEES.

In addition to the account we have given
of the railroads, we should note the advance
made over the rest of the territory. At first
the Wabash River constituted the only outlet
for the exports of the county, and hence fiat-
boating was a prominent pursuit, many of the
old settlers having made twenty to fifty trips
to I^ew Orleans. James L. Wishard once
made the return trip on foot, but generally
the voyagers returned by steamboat. "Will-
iam Swan and "Wesley Southard each made
about sixty trips to New Orleans.

In the fall season goods were brought from
Evansville and Cincinnati by wagon. The
men often went in companies for mutual pro-
tection and assistance, with five or six horse
teams. One of the lead horses always wore
a set of bells. If a team got stuck in a mud-
hole or on a hill, it was the custom for any
teamster with the same number of horses to
make an efi'ort to ])ull the wagon out. In
case of success the bells changed ownership.
In this way the bells were constantly changing
from one to another. In a few years the

river boats superseded this expensive mode of
shipping.

The surface of Vermillion County is natu-
rally far more favorable for wagoning than
most counties in the State. In addition to
this, the enterprise of the citizens has added
the following well-finished turnpikes: One
from Newport to Walnut Grove and Eugene;
Newport to Quaker Point; from a point on
the latter to Dana; from Dana to Clinton;
from Clinton to the State line, on the Paris
road; Clinton to the county line, on the road
to Terre Haute; from Perrysville southwest
about eighty miles.

EDUCATION.

Vermillion County is confessedly ahead of
most others in this latitude in the character
of her public schools. As the people " take
pride " in this institution, so do the teachers.
Institutes and normals have been faithfully
attended and zealously and profitably con-
ducted.

Helt, Eugene and Highland townships
have graded schools, while Vermillion Town-
ship united until recently with Newport in
sustaining a graded school, and the town of
Clinton has an excellent graded school, to
which the pupils of the township are some-
times admitted.

Arrangements have been made by the
school board for a uniform length of school
session throughout the county. The per cent,
of enrollment was raised from 78 in 1882-
'83, to 85 in •1883-'84, and the per cent, of
attendance correspondingly increased. In
1874 it was reported that 418 children who
had attended school could not read. The
number has been growing smaller each year
until none are so reported by the last enu-
meration, although there are probably a few.

The last log cabin school-house was supeiN

!«L— •«!«-_»:

seded many years ago. The respective town-

ps n<jw have the

following:

Clinton,

Brick.
3

Frame
9

Ilelt,

Verniillion,

Eugene,

Highland,

9 59

Estimated value of school-houses and lots,
$59,000; of school apparatus, globes, maps,
etc., about S4,000. Number of teachers em-
ployed in the county, about eighty-five. The
enumeration of school children (six to twenty-
one years of age) for September, 1886, was
4,291, and the enrollment 8.467, or about
eighty per cent.

The county seminary at Newport was
built in early days, under the general law
appropriating a fund for the purpose. The
same building, with an addition, constitutes
the present "public-school " house.

The earnestness of the teachers in seeking
professional knowledge is shown by their
large attendance at the various normal schools
of the State, their general habit of reading
educational journals, and the wide-spread in-
terest taken in institutes and associations. The
townships principals appointed to preside
over and superintend the township institutes
are expected to organize and direct the work
of the " Teachers' Eeading Circle."

Atone of the institutes the following in-
genious poem was read, which deserves a
place in this work:

A PEDAGOGICAL POEM.

Written for the Hoosier State, by C. W. Joab.

I'm Tvith vou here, my teachers dear,

To read a little poem.
I often have some queer ideas about the calami-
ties and
Jlisfortunes in the teacher's sad career,

y^n' I thought you'd like to kiiow 'em.

We tug and sweat, with care we fret,

In this vacation toiling.
Now just give me your undivided attention

while I speak of some misfortunes
With which our pathway is beset:

To do so, I am spoiling.

For years we toil, in constant broil

To get an education;
And after many disappointments.
Burdened with anguish and turmoil.

We get a situation.

The most of men consider then

That we from care are free, sir;
But I'd have you understand that I've
The business tried, time and again:

We're in up to our knees, sir.

With all our might, from morn till night,

Our weary brain we rob, sir;
For when you manage a house full of little sav-
ages
In a village school, you're right,—

You "have no idle job," sir.

You'll meet with scorn, sure as you're born ;

Some men will be your foes, sir.
Yes, some old fogies can not digest the solid
kernel of truth; they hanker after husks and
chaff
And small potatoes and soft corn ;
I've met with such as those, sir.

In humor grum, they will not come.

To see tlie order there, sir,
And witness the fact that some pupils
Are stupid, lifeless, deaf and dumb.

And view the subject fair, sir.

But all Ihey know about the show-
Is what by chance they hear, sir.

They are ever ready to catch all tales of scandal
and idle gossip

As the children homeward go.
Believing all, I fear, sir.

Some say that you will never do :

The pupils do not mind, sir.
They plainly tell you to give the little youk^rs

regular old Sam Hill,
And just to put Ihem through.

And not to be too kind, .sir,

i^g»s^-^i s» 8 i i »»~«-»» " » g-"-"-»-iW.i»nir'»^»J»i« B ii '"«* i ii» « " ia ';

Bui when, forsooth, you flog a youth,

His pa comes in to beat you.
"See here! what right had you to whip Biy boy?

1 know the facts iu the case :
My children tell the truth."

And that's the way they treat you.

Day after day, for little pay.

We work, witli few vacations;
And bear all this meanness and abu>e
In a good-natured, Christian way, —

Iu never-ending patience.

COUNTY SOCIETIES.

Veniiilllon County Medical Societij. — In
July, 1869, a meeting was held at Newport,
comprising James McMeen and William C.
Eichelbarger, of Eugene; Hiram and Lewis
Shepherd, of Quaker Point; Henry C. Eaton,
of Brouillet's Creek, and M. L. Hall and C.
Leavitt, of Newijort, — for the purpose of
organizing a county medical society. They
a<ljourned to meet again a week or two after-
ward, but we tind no account of further
meetings until 1873, when they organized,
electing I3r. I. B. Hedges, of Clinton, presi-
dent. The membership subsequently attained
twenty-two in number, but the association
was permitted to " run down " in the course
of about four years.

Western Indiana Scientific Association. —
The scientific spirit of AVilliam Gibson, then
of Newport but previously of Perrysville, led
him during the summer of 1875 to call a
meeting of the friends of science with the
view of organizing for efficient work. In
August, tliat year, a preliminary meeting was
held at Newport, comprising, among others.
Professor !>. E. Rhoads, William Gibson, M.
L. Hall, William L. Little, Jesse Houchin.
P. Z. Anderson and Samuel Groenendyke, —
the last two, however, sending letters of
regj-et for tlieir absence.

At the next meeting, August 30, they or-
ganized as the " Westeni Indiana Ilistorical

and Scientific Association," with a con-
stitution and by-laws, " for the purpose of
promoting discovery in geology, archaeology
and other kindred sciences; for our mut-
ual improvement therein, and for securing
a cabinet of natural history and a collection
of minerals and fossils as will illustrate the
resources and wealth of Vermillion and ad-
joining counties in these respects." The con-
stitution was signed by John Collett, William
L. Little, William Gibson, H. H. Conley, M. L.
Hall,S. E. Davis, M. G. Ehoads, Jesse Hou-
chin, W. C. Eichelberger, Samuel Groenen-
dyke, B. E. lihoads and P. Z. Anderson. Mr.
Collett was elected President, M. G. Rhoads,
Vice-President; AVilliam L. Little, Treasurer;
H. II. Conley, Corresponding Secretary; M.
L. Hall, Recording Secretary, and AVilliam
Gibson Librarian and Curator.

But the association, like most others of the
kind, forgot to provide (or perhaps could not)
for longevity by finding successors for the
most active man. Mr. Gibson, the moving
spirit, after fitting up and filling a neat little
building with specimens, moved away: the
soul gone, the organism was ot course dead.

The Patrons'' Mutual Aid Society, or Ver-
million County Fire Insurance Company, was
organized in the summer of 1879, by the
Patrons of Husbandry, and is still flourishing.

The County Bible Society, with auxiliary
societies in the respected townships, and the
County Sunday -school Association, similarly
organized, are still at work, the latter quite
vigorously. These, especially the former, are
old institutions.

A county temperance organization, as a
result of the '• blue-ribbon movement, " was
eflected February 16, 1882, at Newport. The
meeting was called to order by Capt. R. B.
Sears, of Newport, a member of the State or-
ganization. i)r. E. T. Spotswood, of Perrys-
villcj was chosen temporary chairman, and E:

H. Hayes, of Clinton, 'secretary. The per-
manent officers elected were, William Gibson,
President; Thomas Cushman, Secretary; 0.
S. Davis, Ti-easurer. Vice presidents were
appointed for the various townships, and an
executive committee. Mrs. Emma Molloy,
a noted temperance lecturer, was invited to
make a canvass of the county. The con-
stitution of the grand council was adopted.
The members adopted resolutions to vote for
none but temperance men for offices, and
favoring a prohibitory liquor law for the State.
Not being a religious or a secret society, of
course it died.

THE COUNTY POOR FAEM, OR INFIRM.\EY.

The farm, about two miles south of New-
port, near the Clinton road, and comprising
a quarter section of land, Avas first entered by
Wilbur and Davis from the Government; sub-
sequently Peter Smith became the owner, and
upon it as security he borrowed a sum of
money from the county; failing to pay, the
land became the property of the county, and
many years ago was made a resort for the
helpless poor. The land is valued at $35 an
acre. The buildings hitherto used being
almost valueless, the county this year (1887)
is having erected a magnificent brick build-
ing, to cost 815,750. It includes a depart-
ment for the ins^ane. The plan for this
structure was drafted by Mr. Buntin, an
architect of Indianapolis. The building is
two stories high, with basement under the
whole ground area, which is 40 x 108 feet.
Can be heated with either steam or hot air.
There are thirty-two rooms for inmates, six
of which are iinished for occupation by the
insane. Five rooms are set apart for the
superintendent and his family. The contract
for the erection of this building was let
March 30, 1887, to Moore & McCoy, of
Danville, Illinois. The present superintend-

ent is Joseph Conrad, who has had the office
since the spring of 1881. His salary is
$600. Average number of inmates, about
twenty.

POSTOFFICES.

The postoffices of Vermillion County,
enumerating from Clinton northward, are as
follows:

Clinton.

St. Bernice, at Jonestown, in the north-
western portion of Clinton Township.

Summit Grove, on the C.& E. I. 11. R., in
Helt Townihip.

Toronto, at or near Bono, Ilelt Township.

Hillsdale, in Helt Township, at the crossing
of the C. & E. I. and the I., D. & S. R. Rs.

Dana, in the northwestern portion of Helt
Township, on the 1., D. & S. R. R.

Newport.

Quaker Hill, at a place sometimes called
" Quaker Point," eight miles west of New-
port and in Vermillion Township.

Cayuga, in Eugene Township, at the
crossing of the C. & E. I. and the T., St. L.
& K. R. Rs..

Eugene.

Perrysville.

Gessie, on the C. ct E. I. R. R., in the
western portion of Highland Township.

Rileysburg, on the same road, two miles
northwest of Gessie.

Walnut Grove, Brownton, Highland, Atla,
Opeedee, etc., are names of other points in
the county where there are no postoffices.

XOTABLE METEOROLOGICAL EVENTS.

The winter of 18I8-'19 was so mild that
but one light snow fell, which was on the
night of February 18. Livestock of all kinds
wintered well without being fed.

November 18, 1842, the Wabash River,
although full, was frozen over, and remained

so until April 2. The day preceding the
break-up a man with four yoke of oxen
hauled saw-logs upon a wagon across the
river at Perrysville.

In August, 1875, and in February, 1883,
and also in February, 1884, the floods of the
Wabash rose unusually high and swept away

hundreds of thousands of dollars worth
property.

COUNTY WALL MAP.

A good wall map, 3x6 feet, of Vermillion
County was published in 1870-'72, by James
Tarrance, County Auditor, who afterward
moved to Terre Haute and then to Texas.

Ul STOUT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

EARLY SETTLERS.

OIIN VANNEST, tlie first
settler of Vermillion Comi-
ty, located on section 9 of
this townsliip, in 1816. See
a previous chapter for par-
ticulars. The second settler
in the county, John Beard,
also located in this township,
building the first house in the
town of Clinton, and in 1819
or 1820 the first mill in the
county, afterward known as
Patton's Mill, three and a half
miles southwest of C'linton.
lie was also the first justice of the peace in
the county.

William Hamilton came in March, 1818.
His son John is the oldest living resident of
the county, and very frail. William, another
son, died about 1878.

Nelson Eeeder, deceased, was but two
years old when his parents came from Ohio
and settled here in 1818,

Judge Porter, from New York State, set-
tled here in 1819. His son Charles, born in
1816, was a good citizen, but ended his life
by suicide.

John J. Martin, who died about three
years ago, was in his second year M'hen his
parents immigrated to this township in
1819.

The same year Daniel McCulloch, who
was born in the State of New York in 1797,
settled in Clinton Township, upon a farm
five miles southwest of Clinton, where he
died a number of years ago. W. B., his sun,
who was born in 1830, is still a resident
here.

John Wright, Sr., now an undertaker at
Clinton, was born in New York State in
1818, and in 1820 his parents brought him,
in emigration, to this county. George Wright
came in 1832, and died many j'ears ago.
His wife Mary, who was born November 13,
1805, in New York, came to Indiana in 1S17.
settling near Terre Haute, and in 1832 came

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

to this county, where she died December 18,
1882. Her only surviving child, "William
Wright, has been county commissioner.

Major Chunn, an officer in the regular
array, came here from Terre Haute some
time previous to 1820, and was an efficient
soldier in driving away the Indians; was
also a participant in the battle of Tippecanoe.
He was a justice of the peace here for many
years. His son Thomas is still a resident of
this township.

John Clover, from Ohio, located in Clinton
Township in 1821, with his son Joseph A.,
who is yet living six miles west of Clinton.

Joshua Dean, who was born in Virginia in
1801, settled liere in 1822, and died about
ten years ago.

A family named Andrews located in this
township the- same year, in which were sev-
eral sons.

Henry and Eli Shew, natives of Xorth
Carolina, were boys when they became resi-
dents of Clinton Township. The former was
born in 1815 and came in 1825, and the
latter, born in 1819, was brought here in
1823.

Captain AVilliam Swan was born in Penn-
sylvania in 1802, settled in Clinton Town-
ship in 1823, was a member of the first jury
in tlie county, followed the river, making over
sixty trips to New Orleans on both rafts and
flats, was a Universalist in his religious be-
lief, and a Freemason, and died January 29,
1887, at Clinton.

Washington Potter, still living, was about
eight years old when, in 1823, he was brought
to this township. He is a native of Ohio,
and a carpenter by trade.

Silas Davis, a cooper and farmer, now
living in Kansas, was born in Ohio in 1818,
brought here in 1823, and lived here many
years.

The parents of William and Israel Wood

came in 1824. The latter are still residents
here.

John W. Hedges came also in 1824. His
son, Dr. I. B. Hedges, was born October 30,

1819, died February 24, 1883, and was
buried in Clinton Cemetery. He was a re-
spectable, well known physician, of many
years' standing in his native county.

In 1824 came also Mr. Crabb, father of
Walter G., who was born in Fayette County,
Ohio. Tlie former moved into Parke
County.

James H. Allen, of Clinton, born in Ohio
in 1822, has been a resident here sines 1827.

John Payton, an early merchant of Clin-
ton, was born in Ohio in 1818, and settled
here in 1828.

This year also came James Clark, Sr., from
Ohio, where he was born in 1798, became a
farmer a mile and a half west of Clinton,
and is now deceased.

Samuel Davidson, also deceased, was born
in Ohio in 1817, and settled in this township
in 1830. Martin M. Davidson, born in Ohio
in 1829, was brought here in 1832, lived
here many years, and is now a resident of
Terre Haute.

George W. Edwards, of Clinton, was born
in this State in 1827, and became a resident
here in 1830.

Andrew Eeed, born in Nortli Carolina in

1820, settled here in 1830.

Thomas Kibby, who was born in this State
in 1810, came to Clinton Township in the
fall of 1830, and is still a resident here.

Benjamin K. Whitcomb, born in Vermont
in 1798, and his cousin and business partner,
John Whitcomb, came in 1828, .settling in
the village of Clinton, where they were
among the first merchants, pork packers, etc.
John died August 29, 1830, aged forty-one
years. Benjamin H. died April 23, 18G1,
and his wife, Anna S., died May 21, 1800,

UISTOJRT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

at the age of fifty-five and a half years.
John R. Whitcoinb, another merchant, born
in Ohio in 1804, first settled in Edgar Coun-
ty, Illinois, in 1832, and in the village of
Clinton in 1834. He died in March, 1873,
leaving a widow (third wife), who is living a
half mile west of town. His first wife,
Eunice, died May 15, 1832, aged only twenty-
three years.

Scott Malone, who married Miss Sarah,
one of the twin daughters of John Vannest,
came from Ohio, and resided here until his
death a few years ago.

Simeon Taylor, horn in Indiana in 1818,
settled in this county in 1831, and died a few
years ago. His brother, John F., born in
Ohio, in 1816, came in 1833, and is yet
living.

In 1832 there settled in Clinton Township,
Thomas G. Wilson, born in Yirginiain 1804;
William J. Noblitt, born in Tennessee in
1825, and still living here; Benjamin Harri-
son, born in Virginia in 1805, was justice of
the peace many years, and is still living: his
M'ife died this year (1887); their son Robert,
born in the " Old Dominion" in 1831, is still
a resident of this township.

Eobert H. and Adaliue (West) Nichols,
came in 1835. He died here in 1872, aged
fifty-live 3'ears, and she in 1874, aged sixty-
five.

Huram B. Cole, John Ferral and John
Marks were early merchants of Clinton. The
latter went South. Ferral- died February 25,
1832, at the age of thirty-six years.

In 1836 came William Payton and Philo
Harkness, who are still living here. Payton
was born in Kentucky in 1814, and Harkness
in New York in 181G.

In 1837 came Reuben Propst, and the next
year Isaac Propst, natives of Virginia, but
finally moved away.

Aquilla Nebekerjborn in Delaware in 1815,

located in Clinton Township in 1837. lie
was a man of liberal views, a good citizen
and a kind neighbor. He died February 10,
1880, after a long period of illness. II i.-^
widow died in January, 1881, an exempl:;iv
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Jesse Spangler, born in Pennsylvania in
1807, settled here in 1837, and died about
1881.

D. F. Fawcett came from Virginia in 1833,
settling near Goshen, Vigo County, and then,
in 1837, in this county, near the southwest
corner. He died in 1845, in Jasper County.
Illinois. Mrs. Fawcett died in 1837, in this
township.

Many others we could mention who came
in pioneer times, resided liere many years,
becoming prominent citizens, and died in
honored old age, or are still living.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

The opening of the iron mines and build-
ing of the " Indiana Furnace," in section 27,
township 14, range 10, Clinton Township,
commenced in 1837. In 1839 the furnace
was in full blast. Stephen P. Uncles was
the chief owner and superintendent. Asso-
ciated with him were Hugh Stuart and Ches-
ter Clark, the firm name being. Uncles & Co.
Years later, the lands and works passed into
the hands of Stuart & Sprague, and still later
to E. M. Bruce & Co., the Co. being David
Sinton.

In 1859, George B. Sparks, now a resi-
dent of Clinton, bought a controlling interest,
and under the firm name of G. B. Sparks (N:
Co., the business was continued until 1864.
Captain John Lindsey, who still resides near
the site of the old Furnace, was many yeais
its superintendent. He relates that of the
hundreds of men employed then, all but one,
a pattern-maker, voted regularly the Demo-
cratic ticket, and jokingly says, no others

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

could get eniploymeat. The company's office
and large general supply store, and a score or
two of cabins of more or less pretensions,
made quite a village. Castings of nearly all
kinds, largely stoves, were turned out. Pig
iron in large quantities were also produced.

The works were among tlie early enter-
prises of the Wabash Valley, and distributed
a large amount of money among the early
settlers as well as furnishing employment to
all comers — of the right political ftvith (ac-
cording to Captain Lindsey)! The 1,700
acres of land connected with the plant is now
owned by George B. Sparks, and devoted to
agricultural purposes, and all that remains to
indicate the site of the old " Indiana Fur-
nace" is here and there debris of rotting
and rusting machinery, and one or two log
cabins.

The " Norton Creek Coal Mines " are lo-
cated on the line between Clinton and Helt
townships, on section 5 of Clinton Township,
and section 32 of Helt Township. Their de-
velopment commenced in December, 1884.
F. A. Bowen was the proprietor, and Charles
P. Walker, of Clinton, the superintendent
and manager. In the spring of 1885, under
the general laws of Wisconsin the " Norton
Creek Coal Mining Company," was organ-
ized, with a paid up capital of $40,000, with
its general office at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
II. M. Benjamin, of that city, is the presi-
dent of the company, and Charles P. Walker,
of Clinton, superintendent and treasurer, and
general agent for Indiana. Connected with
the property are 255 acres of land. The
mines are about two and one-half miles west
of the " Eastern Illinois Railroad," and con-
nected by a spur track. The company also
own the old " Briar Hill " mines, on section
'J, Clinton Township, but they are not now
operated.

On the southeast portion of section 5 is

located the company's large mercantile estab-
lishment and local office, which, with twenty-
seven tenement houses, constitutes quite a
village, called "Geneva," named in honor of
a daughter of Superintendent Walker. The
sales of coal in 1886 reached $160,000, and
and the mei'cantile establishment $42,000.
Near the mines are several tenement houses,
and at the Briar Hill mines eleven houses.
All are occupied by employes of the com-
pany. The business is increasing, owing to
the excellent quality of coal produced. Com-
mencing with the winter of 1887-'88 an
average working force of 300 men are em-
ployed.

In Clinton Township there are three or
four saw-mills, besides two in town, and one
grist-mill.

One of the chief business interests of
Clinton Township is the immense stock farm
of Claude Mathews at Hazel Bluff, on Brouil-
et's Creek, some three miles from Clinton.

It is said that in early day crime became so
prevalent in the southern part of Vermillion
County that a vigilance committee was organ-
ized, wjio executed a lynching or two and
thus effectually checked the evil.

Some years ago the Indianapolis & St.
Louis Bail road Company talked some of run-
ning a track through this portion of the
county', but no subscriptions were taken.
When the Cleveland & St. Louis railroad was
projected via Clinton, a little effort was made
for it, but nothing accomplished. Now the
Anderson, Lebanon & Paris Kailroad is pro-
posed, by way of Clinton, and A. V. Brown
is the leading citizen of the place working
for it, in conjunction with Eockville. Sec-
tions of this line, in other counties, are
already bnilt and used.

In this township, outside of Clinton, Henry
C. Eaton, of Brouillet's Creek, has been the
principal practicing physician. Ilev. S. S.

Sims is a United Brethreti minister residing
also on this creek. Betliel United Brethren
Cluircli is located five miles southwest of
Clinton, and the "Union Class," of the same
church, worsliip at a point six and a half
miles southwest of Clinton.

The Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church
is located about five miles west of Clinton,
where Lewis Walraven is class-leader; and
Trinity Church, nearly south of Clinton, is a
place wliere a prosperous class worships, of
whom John Ryan, Harrison Cole and William
'Wright are official members. These two
classes are in the Clinton Circuit, of which
Kev. J. B. Combs is preacher in charge, with
residence at the parsonage in Clinton. This
is in the Greencastle District, Northwest
Indiana Conference, of which Rev. A. A.
(lee is presiding elder. Clinton Circuit, in-
cluding the town, had 300 members lastyear.

CLINTON.

The town of Clinton was laid out in 1824,
liy William Harris, a resident of Martin
County, Indiana, who was a Government
surveyor, and named the place in honor of
DeWitt Clinton, of New York.

Up to the time the railroad was assured,
about 1868, the growth of Clinton was slow,
hut during all that long ante-railroad period
it was nevertheless the entrepot for an agri-
cultural district around it fifty miles or more
in diameter. Across the Wabash the peoi:)le
traded mostly at Terre Haute, only fifteen
miles distant from Clinton, and always an
absorbing factor in the country trade.

The first mercantile establisiiment opened
at this point was by John and Benjamin R.
Whitcomb, who kept a general store. Other
early business men of Clinton were John
Payton, John R. Whitcomb, Huram B. Cole,
Jolm Ferrel, and John Marks. Later, were
James McCnliocli, Ctis il. Conkoy. Jones &

Chestnut, from Paris, Illinois, Leander Mun-
sell, from the same place, Alanson Baldwin,
of Baldwinsville, Illinois, O. & D. Bailey,
of Bloomfield, Illinois, who were exten-
sive pork-packers at this point. This was
for a long period a prominent shipping point
for pork.

Minor business men were, J. W. and Field-
ing Shepard, and Volney Hutchison, me-
chanics, who afterwai'd moved into the country
and became successful farmers; S. E. Patton,
cooper; H. F. Redding, carriage-maker and
blacksmith, and others.

Many of the buildings occupied by the
above parties are still standing, on the bank
of the river near tlie wagon bridge, where tiie
old boat landing was, as monumental 2'elies
of the steamboat period. How many scenes
of the past, and associations concerning the
characteristics of the early business men of
Clinton, does their venerable presence still
suggest!

Clinton is now, and has long been, the
largest town in Vermillion County; but what
its population is we cannot ascertain. It is
variously estimated at 1,200 to 1,800. The
town is beautifully located, streets running
" square with the world," and withal it is a
pleasant place in every respect.

It was first incorporated about 1848 or
1849, by a special act of the Legislature,
which empowered the trustees to prohibit
the sale of intoxicants. In later years, about
1879, the town was re-incorporated, under
the general law. It is divided into five
wards, from each of which one trustee is
elected biennially. The general officers are
elected annually, — the president being elect-
ed by tlie board, and the other officers by the
people directly.

On account of the absence of the. old rec-
ords, we are unable to give a complete list
of officers. Since 1880 the following have

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

served: Presidents — Neil J. McDougall,
1880-'84; Decatur Downing, 1885; W. L.
Morev, 1886-'87. Clerks— D. C. Johnson,
1880 j L. O. Bishop, 1881; Decatur Downing,
1882; J. M. Hays, 1883-'8-i; Ed. H. John-
son, 1885-'87.

Here, as elsewhere, have been the usual
contests with the liquor traffic. The most
remarkable movement in modern times was
the "woman's crusade" of 187'^'76. In
1874 a band of praying women laid siege to
a saloon day and night, being on duty in di-
visions and by turns. The proprietor sur-
rendered. In April, 1875, a company of
forty hidies, headed by Mrs. Maloneand Mrs.
Kibby, marched in double file to the saloon
owned by Tice & Mechler, to hold an inter-
view with the proprietors; but on arrival
found the fbrt evacuated and the doors wide
open. The ladies guarded the place until
evening and then retired. The next night
one of the proprietors was arrested, and while
he was in custody the citizens gathered at
the point of contest and demolished every-
thing that contained intoxicating liquor. Tlie
proprietor sued fifteen of the citizens for
$5,000 damages, but the case was compro-
mised or dismissed. Otlier events of this
crusade occurred, but of minor importance.

"While on the subject of municipal govern-
ment, we may notice that under corporate
management the streets have been graded and
macadamized, nuisances generally kept in
abeyance, and a satisfactory government gen-
erally administered.

pnrsiciANS.

Dr. Joseph Hopkins, from Ohio, was the
first physician to locate in Clinton, in 1830
or previously. He was an acceptable practi-
tioner. Died out West, leaving a wife and
two daualiters.

Dr. Erstman was here a short time, about
the same period.

Dr. I. S. Palmer, a well educated graduate
of a medical college at Philadelphia, settled
in Clinton during its pioneer period, accumu-
lated some property, but finally became in-
temperate and lost it, althongh he was a
gentleman of a shrewd intellect. He finally
lost his life in a horrible manner, althoiigh
not drunk at the time. Visiting & patient
across the "Wabash one day about fifteen years
ago, he noticed on his return many squirrels
in the woods. On arriving home he took
his gun, and started out to indulge in the
sports of the chase. "While crossing the river
on the ice, he broke through, but held him-
self from being drawn under by clinging to
the edge of tlie ice; and there he lield fast
until parties had arrived from points a mile
or more distant for his rescue. But his
strength gave out and he went nnder, never
more to be seen; his body was never re-
covered. Charles Knowles nearly lost his
life in his efforts to save him.

Dr. "William Kile, from Ohio, was a man
of great energy and industry, and with an
extended practice he accumulated a handsome
amount of property. This lie finally sold
and went to Paris, Illinois, where he engaged
in mercantile business, and also ftirming and
handling live-stock, for a number of years,
and ultimately banking. In visiting patients
on the other side of the Wabash he would
sometimes swim his horse across the river on
his return, rather than to come a few miles
out of his way to the wagon bridge. One
tinie he was violently attacked with small-
])ox, when scarcely any one expected he could
survive; but his "vitativeness" was so large
that, as he was being taken out into the
country for treatment, passing a store, he
called out to the proprietor, "Save me that
largest pair of boots, v.'ill yon V He had

B?g«««w»«»B»a

.a»,MiM«nai«»w»»«"

imsTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

vory large feet. He died at Paris many
years afterward.

Dr. Perkins, a botanic physician, practiced
liere a number of years, and finally removed
to Oregon.

Dr. Rollin Whitcomb, a botanic physician
from New York, came in 1841, and, after
practicing here a number of years, moved
away, and returned again and remained until
his deatli.

Dr. I. B. Hedges was a boy when his
parents brought him here from New York in
1824:. Commencing practice about 1845, he
])roved to be a successful physician as well as
business man. On dying here three or four
years ago, he left considerable property to
his family, lie was a man of high standing.

Dr. P. R. Owen came to Clinton about
1854, from New GoshcL, Indiana, but was a
native of Ohio. At the beginning of the
war lie enlisted in the army, was elected
Captain of Company I, Fourteenth Indiana
Infantry, promoted Major and then Lieuten-
ant Colonel of his regiment; came home and
jH-acticed his profession until 1871, when he
died, leaving a widow and several children.
He was also an excellent Methodist preacher.
The Grand Army post at Clinton is named
in his honor.

Dr. Corkins, after practicing here a while,
moved to Texas.

Dr. William Reeder practiced medicine at
Clinton for a period before the war, in which
he enlisted and held some ofhce. About
1874 he moved to Texas, where he is now
following his profession.

Dr. J. C. Crozier ai-rived here also some
time before the war, entered the army as a
Surgeon, continued in the service until the
;dose, then practiced here a number of years,
and finally went to Washington, D. C, where
he has for a number of years been engaged I
in the pension department. |

Dr. William H. Stewart, who came from
Illinois and practiced medicine here two or
three years, was in Terre Haute when last
heard from.

The present physicians of Clinton are Drs.
Henry Nebeker, J. H. Bogart and C. M.
White.

LAWYERS.

James R. Baker, although he did not prac-
tice law a great deal, may be counted among
the bar. He left here, entering the Method-
ist ministry.

Lyman J. Smith practiced law at Clinton
three or four years, and moved to Paris,
Illinois.

"Judge" John Porter, who lived in the
country in this township, followed the law to
some e.xtent, was a man of considerable lit-
erary attainments, a member of the Legisla-
ture, etc. He died some time before the war
period.

Also, some time before the last war, a man
named Ragan was a practitioner of law at
Clinton for about a j-ear.

Henry D. Washburn was born in Yermont,
in March, 1832; came to this county about
1S50; taught school three or four years —
principally in Helt Township and some at
Newport; studied law while teaching, with
Thomas C. W. Sale at Newport; admitted to
the bar in 1853, and opened office at New-
port; was in partnership with M. P. Lowry
for a time; elected auditor of the county in
1854, serving one term; entered the army as
Captain of Company C, Eighteenth Indiana
Infantry, promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and
then Colonel, and Brevetted General and
then Major General, serving in the army
about four years, first in Missouri, next in
the Army of the Potomac, and then in
Georgia; but in 1864, before the termination
of the war, was elected, while a resident of

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

S37

Clinton, to the lower house of Congress,
against Daniel W. Voorhees, serving from
March, 1865, to March, 1869, having been
re-elected; was appointed in the latter year
by President Grant to the office of Surveyor-
General for the Territory of Montana; and
while holding this office he died, in January,
1871, at Clinton, leaving a wife and two
children. Commanding a company of fifty
men, he made the first thorough exploration
of tlie Yellowstone Valley, in 1870, in which-
journey the exposure brought on the illness
which proved fatal. In his religion he was a
Methodist, in his social relations a Knight
Templar, and in his politics a Republican,
and a good campaignist for his party. Mrs.
Washburn now resides in Greencastle, this
State. Dr. A. A. Washburn, her son, is
practicing medicine at Atwood, Illinois; and
her daughter is the wife of Professor J. B.
De Motte, of De Pauw University, at Green-
castle.

Henry A. White, a native of lielt Town-
ship, this county, practiced law at Clinton a
number of years, and is now in Kansas.

M. B. Davis, a native of this county, and
a graduate of Asbury University at Green-
castle, was admitted to the bar in 1881, com-
menced practice while a very young man,
and was in partnership for a short time with
11. H. Conley, of Newport, and in 1885 left
for Beatrice, Nebraska, where he is now prac-
ticing law and has an interest in the Beatrice
liejniblican.

Tiie present lawyers of Clinton are Daniel
C. Johnson, Piatt Z. Anderson, Benjamin R.
AVhitcomb, I. II. Strain and Melvin B. Davis.

In 1873 the Clinton Exponent was estab-
lished by B. S. Blackledge and James R.
Baker, Esq., in Allen's picture gallery, a

short distance west of the present Argus
office, and was Republican in politics. F. L.
Whedon, from Ohio, edited the paper for a
short time. After a time Baker sold his in-
terest to his partner, and Mr. Blackledge
conducted the paper alone until the first
week of November, 1876, when he sold to
Lyman E. Knapp. In June, 1877, he sold
to R. S. Knapp, but King Alcohol foreclosed
a mortgage on the institution and killed it.
It raised its fainting form at Perrysville, as
the Perrysville Exponent, gasped a few
months, and breathed its last. In 1877 H.
A. White, a lawyer of Clinton, bought the
office material, returned with it to Clinton,
and started the Western Indianian, in the
building now occupied by Harry Dudley as a
meat market. Subsequently it was removed
to the room now occupied by the Argus. By
this time the organ was "National" in its
politics.

White sold out to T. A. Kibby, H. S.
Evans and John McMahon. The last men-
tioned soon left, and Evans became editor and
publisher, Kibby remaining as a silent part-
ner. Then Evans left, and Mr. Kibby, in
September, 1879, leased the off.ce to L. O.
Bishop and Mont. L. Casey. In June, 1880,
this firm bought the Clinton .Herald, to
which the Western Indianian had been
changed by Mr. Evans, and published it
until July 1, 1882, when Mr. Bishop sold to
Casey. August 31, Mr. Bishop started the
Saturday Argots. In twelve or fifteen montlis
the Herald suspended. Shortly afterward
Alexander Myers tried his hand at the busi-
ness of journalism, by starting the Toma-
hawh and Scalping-Knife, which he imme-
diately changed to the Democrat: died in
six weeks. In June, 1884, Mr. Casey came
out with the Clinton Siftlngs, which sifted
occasionally and irregularly along for about
three years, when it entirely sifted out.

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

All the above nsM-spapers, except the Argiis,
were pi-inted upon the same press.

During the summer of 1887 Mont. L.
Casey started " Caser/s Si/tings," as an organ
laboring for the "elevation of morals and
horse-thieves," and as tlie only " religious "
paper iu the county and the "best advertising
medium on earth," published every Friday
evening, " the Lord permitting," and on
Saturday morning " any %vay."

It seems that the ^4/yHS-eyed journal has
come to stay, having a clear tield and run-
ning steadily. It is a " free, untrammeled
newspaper for the people," handicapped by
no idiosyncrasy. In connection with the
paper, Mr. Bishop has also a good job office.

Lucius 0. Bishop was born iu Clinton, a
son of Francis M. and Melinda (Anderson)
Bishop, April 17, 1859. Approaching the
years of manhood he began the study of law
in the office of Henry A. White, in his native
town, but, before completing his course, he,
in partnership with Mont. L. Casey, leased
the printing office of the Clinton Herald, in
1879, since which time he lias been engaged
as a journalist and job printer, as above re-
lated. He is a rising young man, and being
endowed with energy and mental activity, he
is destined to make a mark in this world of
life. lie is a member of the order of Odd
Fellows, and takes an active interest in the
literary societies and other local enterprises of
the community.

LATE ENTEEPEISES.

The Clinton Building and Loan Associa-
tion was organized in March, 1882, and is
still alive. William L. Morey is president,
and J. W. Robb, secretary.

Clinton Building and Loan Association
Xo. 2 was organized January 1, 1887, with a
capital stock of $50,000. David McBeth,

President; J. W. Robb, Secretary; and W.

A. Hays, Treasurer.

The Clinton Natural Gas Company was
organized in the spring of 1887, witli a capi-
tal stock of $2,000 to $1,000. C. Mathews,
President; John Whitcomb, Vice-President;
W. H. Hamilton, Secretary; N. C. Anderson,
Treasiirer. The other directors ai"e J. J. Hig-
gins, Decatur Downing, J. E. Knowles, C.

B. Knowles and W. A. Hays. The material
for the derrick, etc., is now (June) on the
ground, and the company intend to com-
mence drilling within a few days, in the
western portion of the town.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school-house in Clinton Township,
as elsewliere described, was a log structure
of the most primitive kind, located at tlie
Davidson hill, a mile west of town, when the
only school books were the English Reader,
AVebster's Elementary Spelling Book and tlie
New Testament, and sometimes a copy of
Daboll's Aritlimetic. Since then a remark-
able growth of the present free-school system
has taken place. In the meantime, according
to the character of the respective periods, two
or three attempts have been made toward the
establishment of special or select schools of
an advanced order. For example, just pre-
vious to tlie war, Myrain G. Towsley's Mili-
tary Institute and the Farmers' College, which
went down on account of the war coming on.
Part of the building, a large frame, was
afterward converted into an opera house, and
the wings into dwelling-houses.

The present fine school building, of six
rooms, v/as erected in 1881, at a cost of about
$8,000, including seating, furnishing and
the ground. The enrollment last year was
368. The school is divided into ten or twelve
grades, and prepares its graduates for admis-

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

239

sion into the State University. The principal
is J. H. Tomlin, who has six assistants.

SOCIETIES.

Freemasonry was organized in Clinton pre-
vious to D. A. Eanger's arrival here in 1843,
but interest in it declined and the charter
was surrendered.

Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9D, F. cfi A. M.,
received its charter May 29, 1850, and has
ever since then been kept alive. The charter
members were — Sylvester Redlield, Worship-
ful Master, who afterward moved to Nebraska,
John N. Perkins, Hiram Barnes, John li.
Whitcomb, Benjamin E. Whitcorab, William
S. Price, James Gazsoway, James McCuUoch,
Nathan Sidwell, J. J. Moore and William
Barrick. The present membership is fifty-
six, with these officers: James Robert, Wor-
shipful Master; Eobert B. Bailey, Senior
Warden; Jasj)er Frisk, Junior Warden; N.
C. Anderson, Treasurer; D. A. Eanger, Sec-
retary; II. I). Dudley, Senior Deacon; John
Ilorney, Junior Deacon; and William Hughes,
Tyler.

Ainant Lodge, No. 35G, I. 0. 0. F., was
instituted November 16, 1870, with about
twelve members, who have increased to about
seventy-five. The present officers are — A. V.
McWethy, Noble Grand; J. II. Black, Vice
Grand; Frank Swinehart, Eecordiug Secre-
tary; W. H. Hill, Permanent Secretary; John
II. Birt, Treasurer. The past grands num-
ber twenty-three. The lodge has an unusu-
ally nice room for their meetings.

Clinton Encampment, No. US, was char-
tered May 16, 1876. Present officers— W.
II. Hill, Chief Priest; ^N. II. Cale, Senior
Warden; Harry Swinehart, Junior Warden;
J. il. Blagg, High Priest; W. F. Wells, Per-
manent Secretary; Ed. II. Johnston, Scribe;
J. II. Black, Treasurer.

Vermillion Lodge, No. 182, Degree of
Rebekah, was organized July 9, 1877. It has
at present about forty active members. The
officers are — Mrs. Anna Davis, Noble Grand;
Miss Ella Bishop, Vice-Grand; Mrs. Katie
McWethy, Treasurer; Lillie Birt, Recording
Secretary; Miss Lulu Allen, Permanent Sec-
retary.

F. E. Owen Post, No. 3^9, G. A. R., was
instituted April 15, 1884. (See a j)recedinf,r
page for a sketch of Dr. Owen). The Post
was organized X)j Captain li. B. Sears,
of Newport, mustering officer, with about
twenty-five or tliirty members. They now
number fifty-four, and are in prospei'ous
condition. Officers — L. H. Beckman, Post
Commander; Cornelius Quick, Senior Vice
Commander; T. B. Wells, Junior Vice Com-
mander; S. Weatherwax, Adjutant; J. II.
Wilson, Quartermaster; William Kelp, Chap-
lain; D. A. Ranger, Quartermaster Sergeant;
Enoch Whitted, Sergeant.-

Cotmcil No. 3, Sovereigns of Indiistni.
was organized May 5, 1874, with twenty-five
members. James A. Greenwalt was elected
President; David McBeth, Vice-President;
J. C. Campbell, Secretary; T. Victor, Treas-
urer; S. B. Blackledge, Lecturer; J. C. Hall.
Steward; D. Moore, Inside Guard.

The A. O. IT. W. organized here eight or
ten years ago; soon had thirty or forty mem-
bers, but in about a year they practically dis-
banded. Perry Jones, superintendent of a
coal mine in tiie vicitiity at the time, Avas
master workman of the lodge. He moved
away some years ago. Probably he constituted
the soul of the lodge, and \vlien he went away
the body died.

Some eight years ago an orchestra was or-
ganized in Clinton, which is still efficient,
and more recently a cornet band, led by White
and Wells.

Methodism. — Itinerant Methodist minis-
ters of pioneer times were especially marked
fur their energy and daring in threading the
wild woods and prairies in search of the iso-
lated settler, for the purpose of preaching to
liiin the gospel and of organizing "classes"
(church congregations) as soon as he could
iind three or four residents who were zealous
enough to meet, coming from far and from
near. The first Methodist class in Yermill-
ion Connty was organized some time previ-
ous to 1830, at the house of John Tannest,
the first settler of the county, comprising
besides Mr. Vaniiest himself, also his brother,
and George Eush, James, Amos and Joseph
Reeder, the Brannons, etc. The minister,
who walked his rounds, preached here every
four weeks. Revs. Smith and McGinnis are
remembered as being among the early Meth-
odist preachers in this section.

Not having space to detail the particulars
of Methodist history from that time to the
present, we are obliged to leap in our imagi-
nation over half a century, to the present
period.

At the present time the Clinton society
comprises ninety-four members. Class-leader,
L. II. Beckman. Stewards, James M. Hayes
and Robert Allen. The flourishing Sunday-
school is superintended by John Whitcomb
and L. IT. Beckman. Pastor, Rev. J. B.
Combs, now in his second year here, and oc-
cupying the parsonage, a neat residence in a
retired place. This circuit is in the Green-
castle District, Northwest Indiana Conference.
Rev. A. A. Gee, of Greencastle, is the pre-
siding elder.

As to a house of worship, the Methodists
jiassed from the log-cabin residence and
f-chool-house to a frame church, erected
mainly by the Presbyterians in 1831; and

next into a frame, 38 x 60 feet, built about
1852, at a cost of about $1,400, which is now
used as a dwelling; and finally, in 1883, they
reared their present massive and imposing
brick edifice, 40 x 80 feet in ground area, at
a cost of §6,500.

The African Methodist Episcopal Churdt
of Clinton, was organized in 1876, by Kev.
W. S. Langford, of Rockville, at the time, who
was also pastor for a while. The class, led
by George Harris, started out with only six
members, but now numbers about twenty,
with Mrs. Lida Brown as class-leader. Stew-
ards, "William Bowen, John Cooper, Elbert
Brown, John Bowen and John Walker. Sun-
day-school, of about fifteen pupils generally,
is superintended by James Bowen. The
pastor is Rev. W. R. Hutchison, now a resi-
dent of Lost Creek, Yigo County; this is his
third year. The church building, 26 x 80
feet in dimensions, was erected in 1881, at
a cost of $250, and is free from debt. It is
located in the central part of town.

The Presbyterian Church at Clinton was
also organized in pioneer times, being the
first to erect a house of worship in the
county, in 1831, with the aid of the Method-
ists. Ennning down somewhat in the course
of years, they were re-organized about 1850,
by Rev. John Gerrish, of Ilelt Township, who
died in the spring of 1887, in Kansas. There
are now fifty-five members. The ruling
elders are E. V. lirown and David McBeth.
They maintain a Sunday-school the year
round, with an average attendance of ninety
pupils, superintended by D. C. Johnson. The
present pastor is Rev. L. G. Hay, D. D., of
Terre Haute, who has been serving as
" stated supply " since the first of February
1887. Former pastors (or supplies) have
been, so far as can be conveniently remem-
bered, Revs. James Boggs, in 1855; John
A. Tiffner, of Bono, two or three years;

3 '

CLINTON TOWNSHIP.

John Hawks, of Eockville, two or three
years; Thomas Griffith, of Montezuma, three
or four years, and L. H. Davidson, who re-
sided here at the time, two years. The first
church bnikling was converted into a barn, and

is still used as such. The present house of
worship was erected about 1852, is a frame
40x70 feet in dimensions, and located cen-
trally, on the school-house lot.

EARLY SETTLERS.

'HE following list of
early settlers of Kelt
Township, altliougli
apparently systematic,
can not be supposed
to be complete or free
fruiii error, but it is as accurate,
we trust, as such data can gen-
erally be made. The years in-
dicated at the head of the re-
spective paragraphs are the
years in which those mentioned
came liere as settlers, except
where otherwise specified.

1817-'18.— In the winter of
1817-'18 came Obadiah Swayze,
who occupied as a "squatter" one of the
three cabins just built by the Helts, spoken
of in the next paragraph. He, however, re-
mained as a permanent citizen. His remains
now lie buried in Helt's Prairie Cemetery,
with his wife, two sons and a daughter. He
has a grandson, "Wesley "Wright, living in
Kansas City.

1818. — Daniel Holt, after wliom the prai-
rie and the township Avere named. He was
born in Pennsylvania, in 1791, was a soldier

in the war of 1812 under General Harrison,
and died March 25, 1879, a good man and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George, John and Michael Helt — all now de-
ceased. C. B., Thomas, Hiram, E. B. and F.
M. Helt were all born here in pioneer times.
Augustus Ford, from Ohio, long since de-
ceased. His son John, born in Ohio in 1809,
came with him, and died May 6, 1882, an
exemplary member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, after having lived upon the farm
first occupied lor half a century. Mr. Rod-
ney, from Maine. John Skidmore, who died
at the age of eighty years. Hon. "V\'illiam
Skidmore, who was born February 19, 1819,
died several years ago. George Skidmore
was born in 1824, and Josiah Skidmore in
1831. Samuel Eush, father of James, who
was born in Ohio in 1817. This year, or soon
afterward, C. C. Hiddle (or John Hiddle, ac-
cording to one authority), and John Martin
came and built the first cabins on Hiddle's
Prairie.

1819 — Samuel Ryerson, who died January
31, 1862, at Clinton. His wife, Phebe, died
in the fall of 1874, at the age seventy-nine
years. She wa* a remarkable woman. At

UELT TOWNSHIP.

tlie age of twelve years she had never heard
one pray. At that time she attended a
Methodist meeting, where the expected
preacher did not arrive, and the class-leader
sang and prayed, which was tlie means of her
conviction and conversion, and she remained
a zealous member of tlie church all her life.
She and her husband formed the first Method-
ist class on Helt's Prairie, consisting of
eight persons, soon after their settlement
here. A short time before her death she willed
§1,500 to the Missionary Society, $500 to
Asbury University, $200 to the educational
fund of this county, and $200 to the Biblical
Institute at Evanston, Illinois, besides other
sums, to various individuals.

Matthew Harbison came this year. Joseph
Harbison was born in this township in 1834.

1820.— Mr. Hood, father of Charles D.
and S. S., both of whom were born in Ten-
nessee, in 1814 and 1815, and are still living
here. According to one authority, Joel IIol-
lingsworth arrived in Ilelt Township this year.

1821.— Abraham and Enoch White. The
latter was born in Kentucky, in 1814. James
Harper. Stephen Harrington, who was born
in Ohio in 1814, was a resident here during
most of the connty's existence. Warham (or
" Wirnm ") Mack, born in Ohio in 1801,
died here. The other Macks came later: see
under 1832 and 1886.

1822. — William Andrews, Sr., tanner and
farmer, born in Ohio in 1807, (see under
1832), and died of heart decease in De-
cember, 1879, two miles southwest of St.
Bernice, a member of the United Brethren
church. (For others by the name of Andrews,
see under 1832.) John Conley. M. A. Con-
ley, long a resident, was born in this town-
ship this year. James Conley, born in Ohio
in 1817, is still living here. William Conley
was another pioneer.

1823. — Alanson Church. Ills son Josiah

was born here, September 29, 1823, and died
January 7, 1884, two and a half miles west
of Summit Grove. Eleven of his twelve
children are still living. John Peer, Sr.,
born in Virginia in 1803, and deceased. John
Peer, Jr., a resident, was born here in 1834.
The Pearman family; of the younger mem-
bers, John is living, I'enjamin is dead, and
besides these there M-ere S. D. and AVilliam.

1824. — John Van Camp, whose house this
year was where the first township election
was held, moved to Missouri. John Langs-
ton, father of Oliver, of Dana. William L.
Malone, born in Ohio in 1805, deceased.
Richard, his son, was born in the same State,
in 1826, and lives in Dana.

1825.— Caleb Bales, Sr., from Virginia,
died in 1836. Caleb Bales, Jr. is living.
George Bales, early settler, father of Robert,

is dead. William Bales, boru in Vi

rginia in

1827, settled in this county in 1831. Will-
iam F. Bales was born here in 1829.
Chandler Tillotson, who came to the county
abont this pei'iod, is dead. Daniel G. and
G. B. Tillotson were born here in 1825.
1826.— Edwin (or Edmund), William and
Elijah James. S. R., Joseph, W. A. and S.
S. James are all natives of this C(ninty. Mr.
Keyes, father of Dr. C. F. Keyes. The
doctor was born in Indiana, in 1822, brought
up in Ilelt Township, became a competent
physician, although somewhat eccentric in
style, and died at Dana, February 8, 1884,
leaving a wife and five children. John Van-
duyn born in New Jersey in 1803, still i-e-
sides in this township. M. Thompson. Mr.
Rhoades, father of Stephen, was born in
Kentucky in 1822. William Kearns, born
in Kentucky in 1806, is dead. John, his
son, was born in 1832, and is still living here.
Samuel Pyle, was two years old at this time,
when he was brought here; he is still a resi-
dent of this township.

1827. — Washington Engram, bom in Ken-
tucky in 1812. John 0. Rogers, born this
year in Helt Township, resides in Dana.
Asa Mack came this year or previouely. His
son, Dr. Erastus Mack, was born this year,
and another son, N. B., born in 1832, went to
California.

1828. — Joel Ilollingsworth, who was born
in South Carolina in 1801, died May 30,
1875, in this township. (See sketch of
Simon Hollingsworth, in the biographical de-
partment of this work.) George Hollings-
worth, a carpenter, was born in 1827, In-
diana, and was brought here in 1839.

1829.— The French family. Eelix French,
born here this year, went to Michigan. Sam-
uel French, long a resident. Joseph and
John Staats, brothers, are still living here.
Joseph, born in Virginia in 1801, came in
1830, and John, who was born in Ohio in
1806, came in 1829. Israel and Abraham
Leatherman were lads when they arrived this
year. Samuel Hoagland (deceased), was born
in this county in 1829, and was a citizen here
for a life time. Wesley Southard (deceased),
was born in Virginia in 1811. William
Ruisell, Sr., born in Virginia in 1797, is still
living here. David and Mahlou Russell
were born here, in 1830 and 1833.

1830. — James L. Wishard, born in Ken-
tucky in 1794, was a soldier of the war of
1812, and died two or three years ago. John
O. Wishard, born in the same State, in 1805,
came in 1834, and is now deceased. J. H.
Wishard, a life-long resident, born this year.
James L. Payton, born in Kentucky in 1800,
is dead. James Payton, born in 1835, also
deceased. A. M. Payton, born in Kentucky
in 1823, was seven years of age when brought
here. James A. Edmanston, born in Indiana
in 1828, was brought here in 1830 and lived
here many years, but is now living in Illinois.
Robert Norris, born in South Carolina in

1796, died here in 1878. His sons, John
and Lewis, are living. John T. Boren, Sr.,
born in Tennessee in 1800, is not living. J.
T. Boren, Jr., was born in this county in
1831. Jacob Miller, born in Kentucky in
1818, is still a resident here. Mary E. Mil-
ler, born in North Carolina in 1816, came iu
1831. John and O. R. Blakesley, born here
in 1830 and 1833, remained as residents until
their death.

1831. — Joseph Jones, born in Kentucky in
1810; Matthew Jones, born in North Carolina
in 1818; Thomas Jones, shoemaker, born in
the same State in 1820; and AViley Jones,
born also in the same State in 1824, all came
this year. Wiley soon moved on to Illinois.
William Jones, an old resident, was born in
Indiana in 1829.

1832. — James Andrews came previously
to 1834. John Andrews, still living here.
Sara Eliza Andrews, born in 1820, married
Mr. Dethrick and moved West. Hannah
Andrews, born in Massachusetts in 1823,
came to this county in 1839. John W. Reed,
born in North Carolina in 1822, resided
here from 1832 until his death September 14,
1885, at Dana. David Reed, born in North
Carolina in 1825, is still living. P. M.
Stokesberry, born in Ohio in 1808, is not
now living. James H. White,Vho was born
in Teunessee^in 1805; and O. J. White was
born this year in Helt Township. William
Higbie, born in Ohio in 1814, lived here
until recently.

1833. — J. S. Fisher (deceased), born in
Kentucky in 1808. Benjamin, James and
Joseph Fisher, pioneers, and life-long citizens,
are all deceased. Benjamin Miles, born in
Kentucky in 1813, is still living here. Mr.
Foncannon, from Virginia. H. W. and John
R. Roshstan, living in Dana. James A.
Elder and James R. Finnell, the former from
Ohio, and the latter from Kentucky, were

both eleven years of age when brought here
in 1833, and are still living in Helt Town-
ship. O. Chambers and Charles Craig were
burn here tliis year.

1834. — Saninel Aiknian, born in Indiana
in 1814, is living in Dana. Robert Mc-
Dowell, born in Kentucky in 1820, is
deceased. J. D. McDowell, born in this
county in 1836, is a life-long resident. Mr.
Johnson, some time this year or previously.
John R. Jolmson, born in Ohio in 1833, was
brouglit here in 1834; and S. Johnson was
born liere in 1835.

1835. — Samuel Tullis, born in Virginia in
1794, resided here until his death, at Bono,
October 14, 1877, a member of the Christian
ciiurch. His wife died two months previously.
Jolm Jenks, born in Vermont in 1803, is not
living. S. Ponton, born in A'irginia in
1787, is deceased. John 8. Ponton, born in
Ohio in 1831, died here about a year ago.
John Jackson, who had several sons, and is
deceased. Anflrew Jackson, born in Oliio in
1823, is still living here. Joseph Jackson.
James C. Burson. Isaac N. BuUington, born
in Kentucky in 1807.

1836. — Cephas Mack, born in Massachu-
setts in 1815, died April 29, 1885, in Ilelt
Township. His brother, Spencer, born in
the same State, in 1818, settled here in 1838,
and is not living.

1837. — Benjamin Harper, born in Virginia
in 1796, died August 2, 1877. His wife,
Charlotte, died March 2, 1884, aged nearly
eighty-two years. John R. Porter, born in
Massachusetts in 1824,died in 1878. James F.
Barnett, Sr., born in Kentucky in 1815, after
settling here became- a merchant in Eugene.

1838. — Henry Mitchell, blacksmith, born
in New York in 1809, died here, June 20,
1881. AVilliam M. Price, born in Maryland
in 1811, is still a resident of this township.
W. C. and Abel Randall, from Oiiio.

1839. — William Thompson, born in Ken-
tucky in 1818, died here in the spring of 1887.
David D. Thompson, born in the same State,
in 1827, died i^^ebruary 1, 1880. Erastus
Crane, born in Vermont in 1804, resided in
Helt Township from 1839 to the time of his
death. Elijah and N. E. Taylor, Reuben
Puffer, F. S. Aye and many others.

1840. — Stephen Milliken, born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1803; deceased. J. L. Powers, born
in Virginia in 1803; also deceased.

Other early settlers were — Samuel Rice,
William Hays, Peter Higbie, Henry Bogart,
Richard, Isaac and John Sliort, Carmack,
etc., etc., nearly all of whom are dead.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

The first white child born in Helt Town-
ship was Honorable William Skidmore, in
1819; and it is not a settled point whether
he or Jolm Vannest, Jr., of Clinton Town-
ship, was the first born in the county.

The first church building in the township
was the Salem Church, on Helt's Prairie,
erected in 1848.

The first school was taught on this prairie,
prior to 1830.

The first mill in the township was built
upon the bank of Coal Branch, a little stream
which takes its rise in the central part of the
township and flows southwest. This mill
was built by William Anderson in 1836, but
it has long since fallen into disuse, and Coal
Branch looks as if it could never have run a
mill.

The Davis Ferry, at Opeedee, about three
and a half miles below Newport, was a fa-
mous place in early day, as it was the favorite
place of crossing the Wabash for those who
were traveling north, the second bottoms on
the west side of the river attbrding much
better wagon roads than the east side. By

this route some teaming was done even to
Chicago.

Helt Township has contributed an inter-
esting share to the science of archseology. In
the summer of 1884, a number of workmen,
while digging gravel in the mound Just east
of William Bales' place, brought to light the
skeletons of more than half a dozen of the
aborigines. Various relics were found, con-
sisting of bone and stone. There was no
metallic tool of any sort in the grave. Under
the skull of the first skeleton found, — un-
doubtedly the chief or sachem of the tribe, —
was perhaps half a bushel of arrow-heads. A
pipe was found, the bowl of which was per-
fectly hollowed. It was made of a hard
species of soapstone. . Was it his calumet of
peace? Two pieces of what one would sup-
pose to be a tish-spear, made from the aiitler
of a deer, was procured from the heap of
arrow-heads, together with the jaw-bones of
a dog and several beaver teeth. One spear-
head, six inches long, the middle portion of
which was gone, had barbs, about an inch
apart, on one side only. The absence of fire-
arms indicates that these remains have been
lying here since a period prior to the advent
of the white man.

March 31, 1883, occurred the first " fox
drive" ever held in Vermillion County. The
citizens placed themselves, according to ad-
vertised programme, in a kind of circle around
a large section of territory, mostly in Helt
Township. They started forward at 9:30 A.
M. All the marshals exercised due diligence
to keep the uien in proper shape, none of
whom wei-e allowed to be intoxicated or to
have a dog or gun. The east and north di-
visions, having to travel over a very broken
section of the country, and some of the men
also disobeying orders, permitted eight foxes
to escape. At half past 11 o'clock men and
boys could be seen in every direction, about

800 strong, approaching the center; and it
was also observed at this moment, that three
red foxes were surrounded. Forming into a
ring about forty yards in diameter on the
meadow near the Conley school-house, three
of the most active young men entered the
ring to captvire the game by their unassisted
hands. One fox, which was crippled in try-
ing to pass out, was soon caught; but the
other two were chased for some time, when
finally one of them broke the line where
some women were standing and got away.
The remaining one, after being chased fur
some time by dififerent ones, was finally caught
by Fred Ford.

William Darnell was called for, who at
auction sold the two foxes to the highest
bidder, Richard Wimsett, of Opeedee. Every
one present enjoyed the sport.

It could plainly be seen that many impor-
tant improvements could be made in the plan
and execution of the " drive," and accordingly
the next spring, March 15, 1884, they tried
it again, on a larger scale, Muthout catching
a single fox. The conclusion was that there
were no foxes on the ground to be caught;
but some say the territory was too large. It
comprised a portion of Helt and Vermillion
Townships.

In looking through the ijlesoi the Iloosicr
State five to twenty years back, one finds
many crimes and misdemeanors reported from
every part of the county, — appropriate enough
for a newspaper but inappropriate in a general
history like this. The execiition of Walter
Watson, for the murder of Ezra Compton at
Highland, has already been related in this
w'ork. AVe hope every reader will pardon us
for introducing one more item from that
newspaper, as an example of the amusing
style in which many of the squabbles in this
county were related.

" Hair Pulling: a Church Scene in Helt

BELT TOWNSHIP.

Township: Two Belligerent Females Get on
Their Muscle and Make the Hair Fly. It
becomes our sad duty this week to record a
big hair pulling by a couple of young women
of Helt Township. Both bear a respectable
character, and also a first-class temper. The
time was Sunday, December 20, 1874, and
the Brick Church, three miles west of High-
land, was the place. The young ladies met
in the aisle after services were over, and, after
a few hot words, the hair pulling commenced,
and was continued with fury for several
minutes, hair, ciirls and chignons flying in
every direction, to the dismay of the as-
sembled multitude. Both will now have to
wear wigs for a spell, to conceal their prairie
heads from public gaze. It is through fear
that we withhold their names from the public;
for we don't want to be put to the necessity
of buying a wig these hard times."

TORONTO.
This is the name of the postoffice at the
village called Bono, in the southwestern part
of the township. The village was started in
1848, by Tilly Jenks and others, when the
site was covered with a thick growth of tim-
ber and under-brush. The first store was
established by James Bacon, between 1850
and 1860. In the spring of 1863, Edward
English established a grocery, selling out in
August of the same year to Francis M.
Austin, who now keeps a "general store" at
the place. John F. Hays is another merchant
here. The village, although never laid out
and platted, has all the elements of a little
town. The population now is over eighty.
There is one physician here, three church
organizations, — Presbyterian, Baptist and
Methodist, — one church building, a school-
house, blacksmith shop and a post of the
Grand Army of the Republic. In early day
a society of Sons of Temperance existed here,

and later, in the '60s, a lodge of the Good
Templars. The postoflice was established
here in 1871, with Francis M. Austin as post-
master, who still holds the office. There
being anotlier Bono in Indiana, the postoffice
was named Toronto, the office by this name a
mile and a half north having been previously
discontinued.

John C. Jenl-s Post, No. 263, G. A. 7?.,
was chartered with the following officers
and members: Francis M. Austin, Post
Commander; William L. Kerns, Senior Yicc-
Commander; Henry Barnhart, Junior Vice-
Commander; George W. Campbell, Quarter-
master; Edwin Tiffany, Chaplain; Lewis II.
Beckman, Adjutant; Henry H. Aye, Ofiictr
of the Day; A. J. Pitts, Surgeon; Solomon
Carpenter, John Beard, William F. Morrison,
Francis C. Combs, William A. Goodwin and
John Myers. The post is in good working
order, enjoying peace and hainiony. Mem-
bership, twenty-six, meeting the first Satur-
day of each month. Present officers — Henry
H. Aye, Post-Commander; W. F. Kerns,
Senior Vice-Commander; Henry Barnhart,
Junior Vice-Commander; Stej^hen Jenks,
Quartermaster; William A. Goodwin, Chap-
lain; L. L. Goodwin, Adjutant; F. M. Austin,
Officer of the Day ; Edwin Tiffany, Officer of
the Guard.

This is the most appropriate place we can
find for the list of deceased soldiers of tlie
last war, from Helt Township, compiled
under the auspices of the Grand Army of the
Republic.

Aikman, Elijah Andrews, Edward

Aikman, James Andrews, John

Aikman, William Andrews, James

Amerman, Henry Anderson, John P.
Bride, James Blakesley, Albert,

Brady, James Burnett, Samuel

Burnett, William Clark, John

Castle, Dirah Crane, Benjamin

HISTOriT OF VEItMILLION COUNTY.

Dorsliam, Christopher
Ford, Josephus, Lean-

der and Perry-
Fisher, James
Gerrish, Charles
Gosnold, Oscar
Harbison, James
Harris, John
Hamilton, Benjamin
James, Joseph L.
Jackson, Ross
Longfellow, "William
JIalone, William C.
Millikin, Lintott
Miller, H. B.
Martin, William
Morgan, Marion
Osborn, William
Pollard, Absalom
Price, David
Staats, George
Smith, John
Strain, George
Spriggs, Enoch
Taylor, Leroy
Thompson, James
White, Frank
Winesburg, Henry.
Ashnry Lodge, JS^o. 320, F. db A. M., was
organized at Bono in 1861, but the meraber-
sliip is now transferred to Dana, which see.
Toronto Presbyterian Church was organ-
ized as early as 1850 or '51, by Kev. Gerrish,
the house of worship was built during the
latter year. It is a frame, 36x40 feet in
dimensions, and is still in a good state of
preservation. Among the early members of
the church were James A. Elder and wife,
Samuel Elder and wife, etc. Rev. John A.
Tiflany was pastor from 1858 to 1866. There
are now about twenty commnnicants; a large
proportion are changing their membership to
Dana. Rev. Thomas Griffith is the present

Curry, John
Ford, Henry
Foncannon, Joseph
Foticannon, John
Gamell, Charles
Gerrish, Lucien
Hendrixon, Elliott
Harper, Daniel
Homida}', David
Hunter, Solomon
James, Solomon R.
Luck, Edward
Malone, William
Mitciiell, Benson
Mack, Reuben
McNamer, John
Martin, Levi
Nebeker, Jasper
Pearman, Sebert
Potterofi", Marion
Paulley, James
Skid more, Asa
Smitli, William
Southard, John P.
Straight, Elmor
Tullis, Samuel
Wellman, Louis
Whiteliead, Thomas

pastor. A union Sunday-school is kept up
throughout the year: Edwin Tiflany, super-
intendent. A union prayer-meeting is sus-
tained in the church by the Presbyterians,
Baptists and Methodists.

laddie's Prairie Baptist Chitrch. — In
1852 a branch or " mission " of the Bloom -
field Baptist Church was established at
Toronto, and July 23, 1853, it was organized
as a separate body in the Toronto Presby-
terian Chapel, by Rev. G. W. Riley. The
constituent members were Chandler Tillotson,
John Depuy, James Drinen, Reiiben Pufter,
Daniel G. Tillotson, John Newton, A. II.
Depuy, Hannah Martin, Mary Newton, Eliza
J. Depny, Harriet Puffer, Elizabeth Tillotson,
Rebecca Tillotson, Rametha Scott, O. Z.
Derthic, Harriet Derthic, Adalinc Derthic
and Mary Derthic.

Revs. John and G. W. Riley were preach-
ers in 1852, the latter being the first pastor.
Up to August, 1861, the following were either
pastors or supplies: Revs. Joseph Shirk,
William McMasters and A. J. Riley; thence
to the present. Revs. William McMasters
1861-'62; Melvin McKee, 1862-'63; Will-'
iam McMasters, 1863-'65; Melvin McKee,
1865-'66; D.S.French, 1866-'68; William
McMasters, 1868-'77; A. J. Riley, 1877-'79;
G. T. Willis, 1879-'82; J. M. Kendall, 1883;
no pastor, 1882-'86, except a few months in
1883; W. T. Cuppy, 1886-'87.

Services every fourth Sunday.

Toronto Methodist Episcopal Church was
organized in February, 1853, by Rev. John
Lach, who had just conducted a successful
series of revival meetings here. He died
twenty years ago. Among the first members
were John Jenks and family, William Jordan
and wife, Mrs. Tiller Jenks, John R. Wish-
ard and wife, Almeda Jenks (now Eatoii),
and others. In 1875 a great revival was held
by Rev. Jacob Musser. There are now about

/'S-'^-^'^'^'

KELT TOWNSHIP.

sixty members, Avitli Stephen Jenks as class-,
leader. Services every two weeks, by Rev.
William Smitb, in the Presbyterian church.
Sunday-school, union: Peter Aikman, super-
intendent.

JONESTOWN.

Tliis point is at the southwest corner of
Ilelt Township. It was named for Philip
Jones, who owned a part of the ground upon
which it was founded. It was laid out in
1862, by Junes tt Wellman, the surveying
being done by James Osburn, now of Dana,
assisted by Josepli C. Lane and DeWitt Wat-
son. A log cabin was upon the site, and also
a better dwelling, erected by Dr. Grimes the
previous year. John Amnierman established
the first store. There are now two general
stores, one" drug and grocery store, a flouring-
mill, built in 1879, a blacksmith shop, a car-
penter and a cabinet-maker, a post of the
Grand Army of the Kepublic, a brick school-
house, a United Brethren church, one phy-
sician, a justice of the peace, a constable, and
a postoffice, named St. Bernice, there being
another Jonestown in the State. The office
was established here in 1863, with Dr. Wil-
son Grimes as postmaster. It was first named
"Jones," but it was soon found that there
was already a Jones postoffice in Indiana.

The population is about 100. There are
four brick buildings in the place, — the school-
house, a store and two dwellings. The store,
a fine business block, was built in 1880, by
William D. JVIcFall, who occupies it with his
large stock of goods and the postoffice, he
being the present postmaster.

Dr. Tliomas M. Lownsdale, practicing phy-
sician at Jonestown, was born in Petersburg,
Indiana, August 12, 1841, graduated at the
Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery
in February, 1875, and came to this place in
October, 1885.

Pleasant Chaj^el United Brethren Church
was organized first at Sugar Grove, Edgar
County, Illinois, in pioneer times, and re-
moved to Pleasant Hill School-house, No.
13, about 1867. Their present commodious
church edifice, 30.\42 feet in size, and cost-
ing SI, 350, was erected in 1875. There are
now eighty or ninety members. Services
every two weeks, conducted by Rev. S. S.
Sims. Prayer-meeting, Wednesday evening.
Sunday-school all the year, at 9:30 A. M.
Class-meeting when there is no preaching.

A Christian Church was organized here in
April, 1883, with nineteen members, now
increased to fifty-two. Elders — Walter Paul-
ley and James Holston. Pastor — Elder
Williams, of Parke County. Sunday-school
during the summer.

HILLSDALE,

situated mostly on section 2, Township 15
north, range 9 west, Ilelt Township, was laid
out in 1873, by E. Montgomery. The first
house was built by Hart Montgomery soon
afterward, and the same year he and his son
established the first store, comprising a gen-
eral stock. A saloon came next, and the third
building was a dwelling, erected by Levi
Bonenbrake. There are now two general
stores, a restaurant, a church (Methodist),
and one physician. Dr. Erastus Mack. The
Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the Indian-
apolis, Decatur & Springfield Eailroads cross
at this point, having a union depot.

Just across the Little Kaccoon Creek south
is the hamlet of Alta, where there are a
blacksmith and a machinist. The two vil-
lages are regarded as one, and taken together
they contain a population of 200.

The mineral resources are good, coal,
building stone and fire-clay being mined in
abundance. The fire-clay is of the very liest
quality, and there is an excellent opening

liere for the investment of capital. A mile
nortli is a fire-brick factory doing a profitable
business. Coal, wood and M'ater being plen-
tiful here, a flonring-inill would also do well
at this point.

The factory referred to is the Montezuma
Fire-Brick Works, Iniilt in 1872-'73, by
Burns, Porter A: Collett. It is now owned
and run by' Joseph Burns. The main build-
ing is 70.\90 feet, \vi4;h an addition 30x40
feet, used as a boiler and machinery room.
The proprietor uses the Foster A: Kinehart
crushers, the Martin brick machine and the
Totten dry-pan. The power is fLirnished by
the Sinker-Davis fifty-horsc-power' engine.
Capacity, 10,000 lirick daily. The brick
made at this factory will not glaze or melt,
are of the best quality and used in several
States. The drying rooms are underlaid with
a series of furnaces, which, when heated,
transmit the heat through the tile flooring
upon which the damp l)rick are laid for dry-
ing.

JIaJo,' Ami Post, No. 370, G. A. L'., was
chartered July 13, 1884, with the following
members: J. A. Souders, L. Xewell, J. Y.
Whitson. AV. A. James, T. S. King, B. G.
Senders, W. J. Lake, A. B. Casebeer, J. W.
Justice, II. Casebeer, Cooper Jackson, J. W.
.A[iddlebrook, Dr. E. Mack, J. A. Luce, E.
Short, A. Pearman, F. M. Lake, William
Pearman and W. A. lioeback, — nineteen in
all. The first officers were — Cooper Jackson,
Post Commander; W. A. James, Senior A'ice-
Commauder; J. A. Luce, Junior Vice-Com-
mander; A. B. Casebeer, Adjutant; J. F.
Whitson, Quartermaster; J. A. Senders, Ofli-
cer of the Day. There are now twenty-one
members, who meet on the second and fourth
Saturday evenings of each month, in the
Hillsdale school-house. The present ofiicers
..re — W. A. James, Post Commander; A. B.
Casebeer, Senior Vice-Commander: B. G.

Senders, Junior Vice-Commander; J. F.
Wliitson, Adjutant; Samuel Lane, Quarter-
master; Cooper Jackson, Officer of the Day.

The Methodist Ejnscojxd Church at Hills-
dale was organized July 11, 1880, by Eev.
Thomas Bartlett, with the following mem-
bers: J. W. Casebeer, class-leader; S. E.
James, Matilda James, Margaret Owens, Dr.
E. Mack, Mrs. Mack, Martha Strowbridge,
Ella Casebeer, Martha Casebeer, A. B. Case-
beer, C. M. Casebeer, E. M. Casebeer, Sarah
Wilson, Mary McLaughlin, Jane Williamson,
Wallace Thompson, Mrs. Thompson, Eliza-
beth Newell, E. Wilson, Thomas J. William-
son, Bertie Casebeer, Billy Ponton, Charles
Bassett and Mrs. Mary Marvin.

The present church edifice, a fine frame
34 X 40 feet, and costing $1,650, was built in
1883-'84, principally with money bequeathed
by a Sister Bricker. The ground was dona-
ted by Mrs. Mary Gibson. Trustees — J. W.
Casebeer, J. T. Ponton, S. E. James, W.
A. James, E. Mack, A. B. Casebeer and
Charles Bassett.

The first pastor was Eev. J. F. McDaniels,
two years or more; the second, E. R.Johnson,
two years, or until 1884; tlien Eev. Joy
was pastor from the fall of 1884 until the
fall of 1885, J. T. AYoods till March, 1887,
since which time W. A. Smith has liad charge.
Preaching every two weeks. Sunday-sclioo!
is maintained throughout the year. The
membership of the clinrch is now about
twenty-five. Class-leader. William TiucheK

is a hamlet of about 150 inhabitants a mile
north of Hillsdale. It is one of the oldest
trading points in the county, having been in
pioneer days a stage station on the route
between Terre Haute and La Fayette. For
many years a postofiice was tliere, but when
Hillsdale was started it was transferred to the

EELT TOWNSHIP.

latter place, and the name correspondingly
changed. Tlie leading merchant of Highland
is W. J. Hendrix, who keeps a full line of
general merchandise, and has a good trade.
There are also a small grocery and drug store
here, and a blacksmith shop.

A " Christian" Church exists at this point,
organized in early day. The present mem-
bership is estimated at about thirty; but tliey
are not strong. Elders — John Pearman and
Israel Leatherman. Minister — Elder Mar-
shall, who resides near Eockville, Park
County. Sunday-school througliout the year.

SUMMIT GROVE,

is a hamlet situated on the northwest quarter
of section 26, and the northeast quarter of
section 27, township 15 north, i-ange 9 west,
Holt Township. It was surveyed by A. Fitch,
March 14, 1871, and tlie plat recorded De-
cember 23 following. The first house was
a store I'oom bnilt by A. H. Depuy, in the
spring of 1872. The second was a residence
bnilt -by N. T. Leiton, the same year. The
first blacksmith shop was built by Otho
Chambers. William Skidmore also built a
warehouse earl^^ in 1872, which burned down
in May of the same year. The present ware-
house was erected by Leiton & Depuy, in the
fall of that year. Tiiere are now two stores,
one blacksmitli shop, one harness and shoe
shop combined, a saw-mill, a warehouse, and
a postoffice. Population, sixty-four.

Sale in Methodist Episcopal Church, meet-
ing a mile north of Summit Grove, is a
])ioueer institution. The first Methodist
preaching in the neighborhood was by Pev.
Mr. Chamberlain in 1821-'22. The next
preacher was Ilev. Dr. William James, a
N'irginian, who had lived awhile at Mansfield,
Ohio, and then in Butler Coun'ty, that State,
and came to this county in October, 1822,
when he preached in the log barn of John

Helt, and later in a small log cabin school-
house with split-pole seats. He preached
and practiced medicine until 1826, when he
started for New Orleans with a boat load of
corn, and died on the way. The next minis-
ter was Rev. Warner, from Parke County,
who organized the class in this neighborhood
in the spring of 1828, in the log school-
house on Kelt's Prairie, under the name of
Kelt's Prairie Class. Samuel Ryerson and
wife were the leading members. Other
members were John Kelt and wife, Samuel
Rush and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Helt, Mrs.
Mary Helt, Edmund James and wife, Collon
James and John James and wife.

These people worshiped in the school-
house and in the house of Samuel Rush until
1846, when they built a frame house at the
center of section 22, township 15 north, 9
west. In 1878 this building was sold and a
commodious brick structure erected on the
same foundation, about 32 x 60 feet in
dimensions, at a cost of $2,838.36. The
present trustees are Robert Davis, A. L. Mack,
Wright James, N. T. Leiton, Albert Miller
and D. E. Strain, Jr. There are now over
100 communicants. Public services and
class-meeting every two weeks. Pastor —
Rev. W. A. Smith. Class-leaders— James
Harrington, James A. Miller, Wright James,
Martin Harper and Frank Kelt. Sunday-
school sustained throughout the year and
superintended by N. T. Leiton.

OTHEE CnUECHES IN IIELT TOWNSHIP.

Spring Hill Class, Methodist Ediscojxd.,
was organized in 1834, in the house of Joel
Blakesley, with Samuel Rush and wife, Joel
P>lakesley and wife, Zachariah D. James and
wife, Jane Ford, Sarah Ponton, Stephen Har-
rington and wife, William Kearns and wife,
Lydia Jackson, Enoch White and wife, Mar-
tha Ponton, Betsey Ponton, and Nathaniel

Biinies and wife. In 1835 they built a liewcd-
log house, near the center of section 10,
township 15, range 9, which tliey used sev-
eral years. The class was then known as
" Goshen." They next removed to the scliool-
house a half n^ile north. The present house,
of worship, a frame 30x40 feet, w-as built in
1879, at a cost of $1,775. There are now
about tliirty members. Sunday-scliool all
the year, with A. Harvey Kearns as superin-
tendent. Trustees — William A. James and
Moses Thompson. Pastor — Kev. James
Smith. The present name of the class,
" Spring Hill," was adopted at the time of
tlie building of the present church.

Ashunj Chapel, Methodist Episcopal. —
The class meeting here was organized as early as
1830. One of the iirst ministers was Rev.
DeLap. Services were held at private resi-
dences and in school-houses until 1850, wlien
a frame church, 80 x 40 feet was erected on
tlie southeast quarter of section 36, township
16, range 10. The most successful revival
was held in 1852, under the pastorate of Rev.
Arthur Badley, who was living in Iowa
wh.en last heard from. Among the pastors
who have had charge of this church since the
building of the present house of worship
have been Revs. J. W. Parrett, Shaw,
Thomas I'artlett, Salsbury, Clark Skinner,
McDaniel, Wood, Barnard, Nebeker, Barnett,
Morrison and E. R. Johnson. The class has,
of later years, been considerably reduced in
number, and they now have no regular
preacliing.

The Center Methodist Episcopal Church
was organized about fifty years ago, at the
residence of James Wishard, where services
were held for many years. In 1853 the
present commodious frame structure was
erected, 30 x 40 feet in size, at a cost of about
ftl,400. Present membership, ninety-seven.
Class-leaders, George Campbell and Alanson

Church. Stewards, H. P. McCown, B. F.
Smith and Henry Shaffer. Class-meeting
every two weeks, and public sevices every
two weeks. Prayer meeting every Thursday
evening during the winter. Sunday-school
all the year, at 9:30 a. m. Rev. J. B. Combs,
of Clinton, is the present pastor.

Liberty Class, United Brethren Ch^irch,
was organized in 1878, by Rev. Henry ]S'o-
lan, with about sixteen or eighteen members,
in Liberty school-house, on section 15, town-
ship 15, range 10. The first pastor was Rev.
Thomas 0. Baty, who served from the fall of
1878 to the fall of 1880; W. A. Wainscott,
1880-'83; James Smith, 1883-'84; Levi Byrd,
1884-'86; S. S. Sims, 1886 to the present.
Membership twenty-six, worshipping still in
Liberty school-house. Class-leader, Frank
Skidmore. Thomas Skidmore, superintendent
of the Sunday-school, which is at present
maintained only during the summer, but
efforts are made to continue it the year round.
Public service every three weeks. A prayer-
meeting is also sustained.

Midwaij United Brethren Church was
organized in 1857, by Rev. Joel Cowgill,
with probably fifteen or twenty members, in
the Castle school-house, which is still their
place of worship, though it has been pur-
chased by them and converted into a church.
Its size is 22 x 30 feet, and is situated on
section 13, township 15, range 10. Public
services were discontinued August 28, 1887,
with no definite plans for the future.

United Brethren Chnrcli at Ilancman
Chapel. — As the nucleus of this society,
services were first held here over fifty years ago,
in the house of Christopher Haneman, de-
ceased, the principal founder. The class was
organized as early as 1837, with a few mem-
bers, among whom were Christopher Hane-
man and wife, Harriet -McDowel, George
AVellman and wife, Jeremiah Hammond and

HBLT TOWNSHIP.

wife, Silas Hollingsworth and wife. Emily
Bales and Isaac Johnson and wife. The
present church edifice, a brick structure, was
begun in 1842, but not completed until 1872,
thirty years afterward. It stands on section
6, township 15, range 9.

Among the many ministers who have
preached here were Revs. John Shoey, Will-
iam Eckles, Andrew Wimset, Mr. Conoyer,
John Miller, Thomas Hamilton, Joseph Nye,
Mr. Nugen, John A. Mast and Samuel Potts.
There are now twenty-eight communicants in
good standing. Class-leader, "William Under-
wood. Trustees, Jacob Underwood, William
Underwood and Richard Malone. Sunday-
school half the year, superintended by Miss
Delia Boren. Pastor, Rev. S. S. Sims.
Public services once in three weeks. ■

Tennessee Valley Baptist Church was
organized in September, 1872, in the Staats
school-house, by Rev.Wil]iamMcMasters,who
had been preaching here some time previ-
ously, sustaining the point as a "mission"
of iliddle's Prairie Baptist Church. The
first members were Thomas Dugger and wife,
Benjamin T. Dugger and wife, James G.
Lewis and wife, Henry J. Howard and wife,
Rosa J. Pierce (now Underwood), James A.
Dugger and wife and John F. Dugger, all of
whom came by letter from the Kiddie's
Prairie Church. Rev. McMasters was the
pastor of this new church from the date of
its organization until his death in 1886. He
was an industrious, earnest worker, endearing
himself to all. Rev. John H. Rusraisel suc-
ceeded him, and is the present minister.
Public services on the second and fourth
Sunday's of each month. Sunday-school
throughout the year, with James G. Lewis
as superintendent. Trustees, Benjamin T.
and John F. Dugger and James G.Lewis.
Deacons, Benjamin T. Dugger, James G.
Lewis and L. L. Goodwin. Clerk, John F.

Dugger. Communicants about ninety. The
present house of worship, a neat frame 30 x
45 feet in size, was erected in 1875, at a cost
of $1,600. It is situated on the northeast
quarter of section 18, township 15, range 9.

DANA.

The Indianapolis, Decatur iz Springfield
Railroad was completed through Vermillion
County, laterally, and through Helt Township
longitudinally, in 1873. In April, 1874, the
railroad company fixed upon a point on their
road near the head of the Little Raccoon
Creek and about two and a half miles east of
the western boundary of the township for a
" town," naming the place " Dana," after one
of the stockholders in the road. For a depot
Samuel Aikman donated a half interest in
forty acres, John B. Aikman a half interest
in twenty acres, and Samuel Cofland a half
interest also in twenty acres. Besides, these
gentlemen gave $1,500 cash. The land thus
donated became the town plat.

The next year W. M. Taylor built the first
business house in the place, a frame, in which
he kept a general store and the postofliee.
The postmasters since Mr. Taylor's period of
service have been John Bilsland and, since
April 18, 1885, John W. Redman.

Dana is the most rapidly growing town in
Vermillion County, comprising a shrewd and
enterprising class of business men, and sur-
rounded by an unusually good agricultural
district.

It was incorporated in January, 1886, since
w'hich time the trustees have been John Linn,
President, D. W. Finney and W. T. Davis;
II. Wells, Clerk; J. E. Bilsland, Treasurer;
and John Malone, Marshal.

The school trustees are G. O. Newton,
Charles Hunt and J. O. Rogers, appointed
by the above town board. The school-house,
a brick structure 27 x 62 feet . in dimensions

and two twelve- foot stories high, was built
hy the towuship in 1879, the contract price
being $2,200. It is now the property of the
town corporation. It has three rooms. The
enrollment of pupils is about 150. Fred
Rush is the principal.

(By the way, the historian was referred to
the stone over the door for the date ot the
building. Repairing thitlier, he found, in-
stead of any date, only the legend, " Keep
out of debt!")

The Dana News was established in October,
1885, by M. L. Griffith, from Monticello,
Illinois, as a Democratic organ. April 15,
1887, he sold it to the present proprietor,
J. L. Smith, who immediately enlarged it to
a six-column quarto, making it the largest
paper in the county, and during the first ten
weeks (up to date of this writing) increased
the subscription list by 250! He has in
every way improved the paper, still conduct-
ing it in the interests of the Democracy. In
connection with the paper Mr. Smith has a
nice little job office.

Mr. Smith was born in New England, in
1860. When he was an infant, his father
was hilled, in the war of the Rebellion. His
mother then returned with her three children
to New York, and placed them for six months
in an orphans' home on Randall's Island.
In May, 1867, he and one sister were brought
to Wiliiamsport, Indiana, where they were
indentured out. Mr. Smith was in the care
of various parties, — of Hugh James for eight
years. Up to the conclusion of this period
he had had no educational advantages, and
his noble nature asserted itself in an effort to
educate himself in spite of his poverty and
the absence of sympathizing relatives. Ac-
cordingly, during the school year of 1875-'76
!ie worked for his board and sent himself to
school. lie came to Vermillion County in
1878, whore he worked for one man, on a

farm, for five years, attending school during
the winter seasons. In 1881-'82 he attended
the Terre Haute Normal School, and in the
fall of 1882 he began teaching, in Helt
Township, continuing in the profession five
consecutive years, — up to the time of his
purchase of the Dana News. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity.

Mr. Griffith returned to Monticello, Illi-
nois, where he became foreman of a printing-
office.

Dana has a cornet band, organized in
1885 and led by Carl Temple.

Dr. Hiram Shepard was born in Newport,
this county, graduated at the Miami Medical
College at Cincinnati, and has been practic-
ing at Dana since 1874.

Dr. Granville O. Newton M-as liorn in Helt
Township, this county, graduated at the above
mentioned college, and, after practicing in
the country in this township for a time, came
to Dana, in September, 1885.

Dr. Thomas C. Hood, also a native of this
township, graduated at Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia in 1884, located in
Terre Haute for a short time, and moved to
Dana in 1885.

A full sketch of Dr. Otis M. Keyes appears
in the biographical department of this work.

Dr. John C. Harrison was born in Craw-
fordsville, Indiana, was a soldier in the late
war, graduated in medicine at the Eclectic
Medical College of Cincinnati, began to
practice in partnersliip with his brother in
1868, and located in Dana in 1886.

Dr. A. H. DePuy, who practiced in licit
Township 1856-'71, is now a resident of
Chicago, but sometimes re-visits this point
as a physician. He is a regular graduate.

Dr. Frank Foncannon, another native of
Helt Township, practiced in this township

ii^

-^—71!

HELT TOWNSHIP.

Sou

but a sliort time, and went to Emporia,
Kansas.

Dr. Cadle, from Newport, was here during
tlie season of 1885, and went to Terre Haute.

SOCIETIES.

Ashay Lodge, No. 3S0, F. & A. J/"., was
ori;;inized at Bono in 1865, the charter being
dated May 24, that year. fSelah (or Sahla)
Temple was the first master, for two years.
Tliomas Edmanston (or Edmnntson) was the
Jirst senior warden and Thomas S. Hood,
juniur warden. The lodge was instituted by
Aquilla Nebeker, assisted by others. Some
years ago the place of meeting was removed
to Dana. The present membership is about
thirty, and the officers, George W. Sturm,
AVorshipful Master; C. N. Hunt, Senior
Warden; Joel Hollingsworth, Junior War-
den; W. M. Taylor, Secretary; C. Bales,
Treasurer; O. M. Keyes, Senior Deacon;
AVilliam F. Ford, Junior Deacon; William
P>. Wood, Chaplain; G. W. Allen, Tyler.

Bana Lodge, No. 581, L. 0. 0. F., was
instituted February 10, 1881, with eighteen
members, and Hiram Shepard, Noble Grand;
Julius C. Groves, Vice Grand; and Fred
Rush, Secretary. The present membership
is forty, and officers, Solon Johnson, Noble
Grand; L. H. Eeed, Vice Grand; H. AVells,
Secretary; G. H. Fisher, Permanent Secre-
tary; J. M. Taylor, Treasurer; Samuel Jack-
son, Inner Guard; T. J. Hutchinson and H.
Herbin, Supporters. The lodge has a very
nicely furnished room in the Peer Block.
Tlie furnishings and regalia cost about §2,000.

//. D. Washhurn Post, No. 220, G. A. R.,
was organized in 1883, with about eighteen
members, and the following officers: William
B. Hood, Post Commander; G. H. Fisher,
Senior Vice-Commander; O. 13. Lowry, Quar-
termaster; H. Wells, Adjutant; J. B. Fillinger,
Officer of the Day. The present member-

ship is twenty-six, and the officers: J. B.
Fillinger, Post Commander; G. W. Saxtou,
Senior Vice-Commander; James Burnett,
Junior Vice-Commander; J. N. McClure,
Adjutant; James Knight, Officer of the Day;
Henry Thomasmeyer, Quarter-master; G. H.
Fisher, Quarter-master-Sergeant; Daniel Ri-
land. Officer of the Guard; J. C. Harrison,
Surgeon ; W. B. Hood, Chaplain. Financially,
the post is in fair condition. This year they
are building a hall, being the second story of
the brick business block to be erected by
Charles Norris, wliich is to be 22 x 50 feet in
dimensions. For a sketch of H. D. Wash-
burn, in honor of whom the post is named,
see historv of Clinton.

Methodism in Helt Township has of course
existed from the earliest pioneer period, and
has always been strong and influential. The
Methodist class in Dana was organized in
1879 by Rev. Daniel Morrison, of the Green-
castle District, Northwest Indiana Confer-
ence. The pastors since liis time have been
Revs. Elijah Johnson, J. C. McDaniels, Mr.
Woods and William Smith, the present in-
cumbent, wlio lives west of Terre Haute, al-
though there is a parsonage at Ilelt's Prairie.
There were about forty members at the time
of organization, led by J. O. Rogers. Tlie
present membership is about sixty, and the
class-leaders, J. O. Rogers and Andrew Car-
mack. Sunday-school is maintained through-
out tlic year, with an attendance of sixty to
100, superintended by J. O. Rogers. The
liouse of worship, 30 x 50 feet, was erected in
1882, at a cost, including grounds, of $1,800.

The Toronto Presbyterian Church, at
Bono, was organized many years ago, but the
members are now changing their places of
meeting to Dana, wlu^-e they have just com-
pleted one of the most beautiful frame church

Bistort of vermillion county.

edifices in the nation. Its size is 32 x 54
feet, besides a "rostrum" 8x14 feet; its
style is of course modern and of fancy finish,
and the cost about |l2,800, not counting the
pews and other funiture. It was dedicated
June 26, 1887, by Rev. T. D. Fyfle, of Eose-
ville Indiana. The location is in the north-
ern part of the village, in Samuel Aikman's
addition. The leading men in building this
church were "W. M. Taylor, Samuel Aikman
and Samuel Hall.

Dana Baptist Church was organized in
1880, with twelve members, by Rev. G. T.
Willis, of Hoopeston, Illinois. Pastors, Revs.
Willis, Cartwright, of Fountain County, In-
diana, William McMasters of Montezuma,
Palmer, of Waveland, and Mr. Franklin. At
present there is a vacancy. The membership
numbers twenty. Charles Thompson has
been deacon from the time of organization,
and G. H. Fisher, at the first clerk, is now
also deacon, Elizabeth Thomas Meyer, clerk.
The church, a fancy brick structure, in the

northern part of the village, is 36 x 60 feet in
dimensions, and was erected this year (18S7)
at a cost of about $2,500, not counting the
pews.

Dana Christian Church was organized
temporarily about the first of September,
1886. A Sunday-school of about sixty pupils
is superintended by Prof. A. J. Wilson. A
few zealous Christians, led by Rev. J.W. Jarvis
and his business partner, John Morris — al-
though the latter is not a member of the
church — have just built a tine house of wor-
ship at Dana, in the northwestern part of the
town, the first church erected by this people
in Vermillion County. It is a brick struct-
ure, 32 X 54 feet in ground area, neatly fin-
ished and furnished in modern style, and cost
$2,335.38. It was dedicated April 17, 1887,
by Elder L. L. Carpenter, of Wabash, Indi-
ana. The present membership of the church
is about fifty. Elder J. W. Jarvis is the
" temporary " pastor.

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.

I VERMILLION TOWNSHIP

PIONEERS-

ONCERNING some of
the earliest dates in tlie
owing compilation,
there is, as is always the
ease in such sketches,
some doubt, as it is iin-
pofe'iible for tlie historian to rec-
oncile contradictory accounts, to
\erify all the guesses or to fill out
the blanks desired.

1819. — Alexander and Elizabeth
Morehead, natives of Ohio, settled
in Vermillion Township either this
year or in 1822 (authorities vai-y).
They died in 184i and 1849 re-
spectively. Their son Samuel is now a resi-
dent of ISTewiJort. Jacob A. Morehead, who
died many years ago, and Joseph A. More-
head, still living, were both born in this
county in 1826.

1820. — Richard and Susan (Henderson)
Ilaworth, said also to be the first settlers of
Vermillion Township, came from Tennessee
in the fall of 1820. Mr. Haworth died in
1850, aged fifty- seven years, and his wife died
in 1854, also at the age of fifty-seven. (See

biography of George F. Ilaworth.) John
Hopkins, who died in 1873, at the age of
sixty-eight years, was a lad of fifteen years
when in 1820 he became a resident of this
couhty. His mother is yet living.

1821. — Joel Dicken came from Prairie
Creek, Kentucky, settling where Newport
now stands. His son, Benjamin K., long a
resident in the vicinity, was born in 1818,
and died recently in Michigan or AVisconsin.
Daniel V. Dicken, born in this county in
1822, find Simeon Dicken, both died in this
township. M-irtha E., widow of the latter, \

was born in North Carolina, September 1,
1821, brought to this county in 1826 or
1827, and died December 30, 1881. Another
Martha Dicken was born in Kentucky in
1804, and emigrated to this county in 1822,
and died February 18, 1882. Joseph Eggle-
ston, father of William the lawyer, came to
this county in 1821, and died many years
ago. John L. Eggleston, boru in 1827, is a
resident of Newport.

1822.— To this year is credited John Wim-
sett, from Virginia, who died many years
ago. Jacob Wimsett, boru January 8, 1827,

is still a resident. Jacob Ciistar settled this
year on the Vermillion about a mile and a
half above Newport. Philemon Thomas
came this year and remained a resident until
his death in 1860. His wife, n4e Catharine
Custar, came in 1828, and is still living. (See
sketch of Jacob Thomas.) Nathan Thomas
was five years old when in 1827 he was
brought to tliis county.

1823. — Carter and Catharine Ilollings-
worth, from North Carolina. Mrs. Ilollings-
worth died in 1880, aged eighty-eight years.
Eber IloUingsworth, born in Union County,
Indiana, in 1822, was brouglit to this county
the next year. He is a well known farmer
and stock-trader two miles west of Newport.
Henry Hollingsworth, born in this State in
1830, recently died in Newport.

1824. — Anna, widow of William Hender-
son, became a resident of this county in
1824.

1826. — Adam Zener, born in Kentucky in
1803, came to Clark County, this State in
1812, and in 1826 to this county, where he
remained until his death, March 14, 1877, a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Either this year or next came Philip W. Os-
mon, who was born in Kentucky in 1803.
His son, Archibald W., born in 1829, is a
farmer ten miles southwest of Newport, and
Jabez B., born in 1836, resides at Newport.
(See sketch.) Jeremiah and Mary (Taylor)
Highfill, from Maryland: he died about 1867,
aged eighty-five years, and she in 1852, at
the age of about sixty years. See sketch of
their son John, who was born here in 1828.

1827.— Richard Potts, who was sheriff two
terms, and died in 1875. His widow died in
1883, at the old homestead two and a half
miles south of Newport. Of their two chil-
di-en, Thomas died a number of years ago,
and Charles P. survives.

1828.— Robert Wallace, a native of Vir-

ginia, became a resident of Vermillion Town-
ship this year, and died at Newport, May 27,
1881, at the age of ninety-one years. Hu
was a man of line physical appearance, and
was never sick to exceed a week during hi>
life. William Wallace, who was born in
Ohio in 1817, and was ten or eleven years of
age when brought to this county, died several
years ago. Joshua Nixon, born in Ohio in
1813, came to Newport this year, and resided
here until his death. May 23, 1875, a faith-
ful member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. James Asbury, born in Virginia in
1815, is still residing on section 21. (Sec
sketch.) Aaron Jones, from New Jersey,
and William Jones, from Union County, In-
diana, both came this year; the former is
dead (see sketch), and the latter is still living
in this township. Samuel Jones, born in
Ohio, came in 1830, and died about 1881.
George Brindley, born in Kentucky in 1800,
died in 1878; and his wife Sarah, born in
1806, died in 1867. (See sketch of John
Brindley, a son.) Benjamin Shepherd, born in
Kentucky in 1808, and David Brown, born
in Indiana in 1823, are still living in this
township.

1829. — Robert Stokes settled in this town-
ship in 1829, and is still an active man, re-
siding in Newport. His wife, whose maiden
name was Rebecca Wallace, was born June
8, 1809, in Virginia, and died November 25,
1884. They were married January 31, 1833.
Of their five children, none are living except
Finley. Samuel Davis, born in Ohio in
1811, is also still living in Newport. Eliza-
beth Frazer, widow of William, who died in
1873, aged fifty-seven, was born in this State
in 1822, and is still living.

1830. — Jacob Sears came from North Car-
olina, and died in 1859, aged eighty-five. His
wife, nee Mary Hofstetter, died in 1856, aged
eighty. (See sketch of Daniel Sears.) E.

Jackson, Sr., born in Ohio in 1807, lives in
Dana. Thomas J. Brown, born in Kentucky
in 1801, died in this township. Iloss Clark,
born in Ohio in 1797, died in this township
in the fall of 1878; the farm is still occupied
by his son, G. W. Jacob and Mary (Harlin)
Groves, from East Tennessee; he was born
in 1794, and died in 1843; she died in 1873.
(See sketch of William C. Groves who was
born in Tennessee in 1817, and has been a
resident here since 1830.) William L.
Tincher,born in Kentucky in 1814, was living
in Montezuma a short time ago. William
W. Doss, born in Kentucky in 1817, is living
in Montezuma; his sou Winchester still
resides in this township. Eobert S. JSTorris,
from South Carolina, died in 1877, seventy-
three years old. See sketch of his son John,
who was born here in 1834. Other life-long
residents of this township, who came this
year when children, are Richard and John
W. Clearwater, John L. White, James H.
Hutson, George Weller, etc.

1831. — William Nichols, born in Virginia
in 1804, died October 11, 1876. Isaac and
Henry Nichols, boys when brought here in
early day, lived here many years and are
both now deceased. Isaac and Mary Carraack,
from Tennessee, settled in the Lebanon neigh-
borhood, he died in 1863. Alfred, a son,
born in Tennessee January 8, 1814, died May
18, 1817; and Andrew, another son, lives in
Dana. Henry Wiltermood, born in this
State in 1821. Charles Herbert, from Ken-
tucky; his son, William J., born in 1819, is
still living here, on eection 27. (See sketch.)
John Henderson, from Ohio, still living, on
section 7. (See sketch.) Archibald B. and
Melissa Edmoiiston; the latter died, a widow,
at the age of seventy-three, in 1865. Samuel
Deheaben lives near Newport, Charles S.
Little is deceased.

1832.— H. F. Jackson, born in Ohio in
1798, died in Missouri. John Jackson and
wife Lydia, from Ohio; the latter died De-
cember 21, 1880, at the age of seventy-four
years. Joseph Jackson, from England, de-
ceased. Ezra Clark, born in Ohio in 1811,
lives in Highland. John G. Gibbon, born
in Oliio, 1819, remained here till his decease,
Julius Bogart, born in Tennessee in 1811,
still living here. William B. Hall, who died
here in 1863, aged forty-two; his wife died in
1872. (See sketch of Samuel J. Hall.) James
A. Elder, born in Brown County, Ohio; de-
ceased. James Reniley, born in Ohio in
1823, who finally committed suicide.

1833. — Eli Newlin came from North Caro-
lina to Montezuma, Indiana, in 1828, and to
this county in 1833, where he died in 1872,
aged seventy years. His wife, nee Mary
Edwards, died in 1886, at the age of eighty
years. (See sketch of Alfred R. Newlin.)
Alexander Dunlap, born in Maryland in
1813, is still living in this township.

1834.— John C. Johnson, born May 16,
1807, in Belmont County, Ohio, married
February 24, 1833, Miss Elizabeth Shaver, a
lady of superior education, and the next year
located in this county, arriving at the mouth
of the Little Vermillion, April 8. Here he
entered a small tract of land, built a cabin
and began life on what is known as the " first
bottom." In 1854 he built a new liouse,
which he occupied until 1880, when he
moved to Newport, where he died February
22, 1883, after having brought up an exem-
plary family of children. In 1834 came also
Benjamin Davis, who died in 1854, at thj
age of sixty-four years. His wife, whose
maiden name was Rusha Sears, died in 1869,
at the age of sixty-two years.

1835.— John S. Bush, born in this State in
1828, still living here, blind. William Huff,

V'\

■■■i«"oi»ia"»"M"«"««

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

born in Kentucky in 1812, and Jained Duzan,
born in the same State six years later, both
now residing in Newport.

1836. — David Aldridge, born in North
Carolina in 1790, and died September 11,
1877, being at the time about the oldest citi-
zen in the county. lie was a soldier in the
war of 1812.

1837. — Isaac Tropts, long a resident of this
townsiiip, was nine years old when he came
to the county in 1837.

1838. — Hiram Hastey, born in Indiana in
1818, was a harness-maker at Newport, where
he died. J. F. Weller, merchant at Newport,
now at Petersburg, Indiana, was born in
Kentucky in 1818.

1839.— T. W. Jackson, born in Ohio in
1816, still living here.

1840.— Hugh Dallas, born in Ohio in 1813,
still living. (See sketch.)

Mr. Dillow came some time prior to 1810,
from Virginia. Abel Sexton, still one of the
most prominent citizens of Newport, was
born in New York in 1820, and settled in
tliis county in 1813. (See sketch.) Other
prominent citizens of Vermillion Township,
who either settled here or were born here in
pioneer times, are Alvah Arrasmith, living;
Tiionias G. Arrasmith, wagon-maker at New-
port, now in Terre Haute; Samuel and G. W.
Clark, living; David Fry, living; James
Kaufman, who now lives in Dana; Leonard
Sanders, deceased; his sons, Samuel, Daniel
and William, are living; John Rice, who died
in 1880, at the age of seventy years; his son,
William Z., is sketched in the biographical
department of this work: Daniel E. Jones,
who became a wealthy citizen of Chicago and
died there; Major John Gardner, IFenry
Betson, etc.

Colonel William Craig was born in New-
port in 1831, graduated at West Point in
1853, having for his class-mates Generals

McPiierson, Philip Sheridan and Schofield;
crossed the western plains in 1854 as Lieuten-
ant and Aid-de-Carap on General Garland's
staff; served in the regular army ten years,
being one of the best Indian fighters, ami
greatly admired by Kit Carson and others;
and finally died in the Southwest, in 1880.

The above are the initials of one of tlie
most prominent citizens of Vermillion Coun-
ty; namely, Oliver P. Davis, and have also
become the name of the 1,300 acre farm
which he owns tliree to four miles below
Newport, and of the railroad station at that
point, when it is generally spelled Opedee.

Hon. O. P. Davis was born in New Hamp-
shire in 1814; learned the art of paper-
making; came to Indiana in 1838, traveling
by coach, steamboat, canal and horseback,
througli the States of New York, Ohio,
Michigan and the province of Canada. In
New York he rode behind the first locomo-
tive built in that State, then running out of
Albany. At Toronto, Canada, he was em-
ployed in a book bindery and mill, doing the
work more rapidly and efiiciently than any of
the native hands. In Ohio he fell in with a
jolly dentist, of whom he began to learn the
art of dentistry, afterward practicing his new
trade at Fort Wayne. After residing at
Logansport and Delphi, this State, for a time,
he went to Greencastle and commenced the
study of law in the oflice of Edward W.
McGoughey, read two years, and then in
1840, moved to this county and began the
practice of his profession, continuing for five
years. Since then he has been a tradesman
and agriculturist. At first he purchased forty
acres, to which he has since made additions
until he has 1,300 acres of rich Wabash bot-
tom, whereon he sometimes raises immense
crops of corn, occasionally 50,000 bushels or

more, and sometimes, by flood or frost, he
also loses immense crops. The sediment de-
posited by the Wabash floods keeps the soil
very rich. During the year of the famine in
Ireland, Mr. Davis took to New Orleans by
llat-boat 25,000 bushels of corn, some of which
he bought at 18 cents a bushel, and sold it at
45 cents to §1 per bushel. He is said to
have sold in one season §18,000 worth of
corn raised by his own hands.

Mr. Davis is familiar with legislation,
being a member of the Constitutional Con-
vention of 1850, a member of the General
Assembly three terms, a delegate to various
important conventions, etc. In his politics
he has been a Democrat, Republican, Nation-
al, etc., and in his religion he is a " free-
thinker." He is a man of firm principles
and a high sense of justice.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

One night some years ago, Mr. H. F. Jack-
son, residing about three and a half miles
south of Newport, heard his dog making a
terrible noise. About midnight he arose,
went out, and discovering the smoke-house
dour open, concluded it had been inadvert-
ently left open by the family, closed it, and
returned to bed, thinking all was safe. But
by closing the smoke-house door he unawares
locked up a thief within. Next morning Mr.
Jackson reconnoitering around to see what he
could discover, noticed a hole in the ground
dug out under the wall of the smoke-house.
The thief had to work his way through a
large puddle of water in order to get out,
thinking doubtless that he was lucky to get
off as well as he did.

In September, 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Brennan,
living a mile west of Newport, received a
visit from their daughter, whom they thought
they had lost twenty-one years previously,
when they left her temporarily in the care of

some one at New Orleans during a fearful
siege of cholera. She had been found during
the preceding summer by a relative in Ohio,
advertising in the Irish Republic, a Boston
newspaper. She was then a resident of New
Orleans and the mother of four children.
Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, on learning their
daughter was still alive and residing in New
Orleans, immediately concluded to visit her;
but before starting they received a letter from
her stating that she was coming to see them.
Accordingly she soon arrived at Newport,
late at night, on her way; and such was her
an.xiety to see her parents that night, although
it was dark and raining, that she engaged a
team and was immediately taken out to the
desired goal, where a meeting occurred too
exciting to describe. The daughter remained
until spring. Her mother died a few weeks
after the visit.

Of anecdotes of the chase, perhaps the
latest is the account of the " fox drive " had
February 26, 1886, in this township, when
200 men, women and children succeeded in
catching one fox.

A great human curiosity exists in Vermil-
lion Township. Ludia J. Clark, about three
and a half miles southwest of Newport, was
born in March, 1882, and at the age of five
years weighed 105 pounds, and was apparent-
ly as mature in her intellect and physical
development as a girl in her 'teens. At the
date of writing, July, 1887, she is still
gaining in weight as rapidly as ever. Her
parents do not seem to be characterized by
anything abnormal.

Quaker Hill, sometimes called Quaker
Point, is the name of a fine neighborhood in
a romantic section of country on Jonathan
Creek near the western boundary of Vermill-
ion Township. The place takes its name
from the fact that an unusual proportion of
the settlement consists of " Quakers." The

postoffice is at a cross road on low ground
in the woods, but in a beautiful situation, and
is called " Quaker Hill."

Dr. Joseph C. Cooke, of the Willow Brook
farm near Quaker Hill, was an influential
physician here for a number of years. He
was born in Piqua County, Ohio, in 1819,
emigrated to this county in 1845, died Janu-
ary 22, 1875, and was buried under the
honors of the order of Patrons of Husbandry,
his funeral being attended by probably a
thousand persons.

Drs. John Gilniore, Hiram and Lewis
Shepard and P. H. Swaim are or have been
practitioners of medicine at Quaker Hill or in
the vicinity.

The Hopewell FrleniVs Chiirch was or-
ganized many years ago, and is of the same
"monthly meeting" with Friends' Chapel
and Pilot Grove in Hlinois. The present
membership here is 230. Ministers, James
P. Haworth, William F. Henderson and
Kuth R. Ellis. The minister at Friend's
Chapel is Noah Dixon, and at Pilot Grove,
John Folger, and meetings are held at each
of these places in turn. The overseers at
Hopewell (or Quaker Hill) are Jonathan E.
and Kate E. Ellis, and Albert and Jane Hen-
derson. Dinah T. Henderson is recorder.
The church building, a frame, was erected in
1873, at a cost of $1,250.

The Lehanon Methodist Exjhcopal Church,
east of Quaker Hill, was organized in pioneer
days. The present membership is about thirty_
Class-leader, Robert Holliday; stewards, R.
P. Little, J. L. Thomas, Frank Carmack and
Samuel R. AVhite. Pastor, Rev. R. S. Martin,
of Newport. The church building, a frame,
30 X 36 feet in dimensions, was built over
thirty years ago. Sunday-school is main-
tained all the year, with an average attendance

of fifty pupils and superintended by Miss
Ella Little.

Vermillioii Chajjel, Methodist Ejpiscoj'il
Church, three and a half miles south and a
little west of Newport, has a membership of
about twenty. Class-leader, W. P. Carmack ;
steward, Allen Clearwaters; Pastor, Rev. R.
S. Martin, of Newport. The Sunday-schuil
was recently organized. The old churcli
building, erected about forty years ago, has
recently been sold, to give place to a flue
brick church, costing $1,500 or $1,800,

Bethel Church, United Brethren, two
miles southwest of Newport, was organize!
many years ago. Present number of mem-
bers, forty-seven or forty-eight. Class-leadtT,
Levi Erindley; steward, Thomas White. Nn
Sunday-school at present. The house c!'
worship, about 28 x 36 feet in ground arcvi,
was built twenty-four or twenty-five years ago.

0_pedee Church, United Brethren, organ-
ized about 1880, has increased in membership
from eight to sixteen. No class-leader at
present. Steward, Miss Ella Wimsett. A
good Sunday-school has recently been estab-
lished, of which E.D.Brown is superintendent.
Meetings are held in a school-house.

Ira Mater, of Hillsdale, is a local preacher
of this denomination.

A few United Brethren are meeting at the
Eggleston school-house, preparatory to organ-
ization. They have a Sunday-school, of whii-li
Mr. Dixon is superintendent.

Rev. B. F. Dungan, of Newport, is pastur
of all the United Brethren churches in Ver-
million Township.

NEWPORT.

The location of the county seat of govern-
ment at this point has already been sketched.

The first dry-goods store here was opened
by Daniel E. Jones, with a lot of goods so
small that it seemed one could carry them all

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.

in an arni-fiiU or two. He obtained his start
thus: He was shipping some hogs, a part of
which died. These were rendered into soap,
which was sold for the goods. Mr. Jones
afterward became wealthy, and went to
Chicago, where he became a millionaire and
finally died.

The first good residence built at jS^ewport
was the building nortli of the present Meth-
odist Episcopal church, recently occupied by
Mrs. Hiram Hasty and now by Frank Turner-
Conspicuous in this town are several very
old, large planted trees. A number of locust
trees were planted here in 1832, which are
now over two feet in diameter, and one apple
tree, near the soTithwest corner of the public
square, appears to be over three feet in diame-
ter four feet from the ground, though at this
point the tree bifurcates and is hollow. Decay
will soon overtake the growth and bring the
venerable old tree down.

The old court-houses and jails are noticed
in a previous chapter. The present tine
court-house was built in 1866, at a cost of
over §30,000. County ofiices below, large
and neatly kept, court-room above. The old
log jail was many years ago superseded by a
brick building on the hill, which is now used
as a residence. The present jail, and sheriflf's
residence, built in 1868, is a good, substantial
brick structure on East Market street.

Newport was incorporated as a town early
in the spring of 1870. By the records of
March 28, that year, we find that the first
trustees were — AVilliam E. Liven good, Presi-
dent, Clark Leavitt, Benjamin K. Dicken and
E. Y. Jackson; J. A. Souders, Clerk. The
presidents and clerks serving since that time
have been: Presidents — E. Y. Jackson, 1871;
James A. Bell, 1872-'73; F. M. Bishop,
1874; S. H. Dallas, 1875; James A. Foland,
1876-'78; William P. Henson, 1879; Oliver
Knight, 1880; James Hasty, 1881-'82;

Robert Landon. 1883; Calvin Arrasmith,
1884; Kobert B. Sears, 1885; John W. Cross,
1886-'87. Mr. Landon died in 1885; all the
rest are living. The clerks have been —
Eobert B. Sears, 1871; J. Jump, 1872-'74;
J. A. Souders, 1875-'78; J. C. Sawyer, 1879;
John JSr. Hartman, 1880; Oliver H. Knight,
1881; J. C. SaA\7er, 1882; O. B. Gibson,
1883-'86; William F.Thornton, 1887.

Newport is divided into four wards, with
one trustee from each ward.

Three attempts have been made to dissolve
the corporation. The last one was made
June 21, 1877, when the question was put to
vote, and a majoi'ity of nineteen was given in
favor of continuing the corjiorate capacity of
the town.

The population of Newport is estimated at
600 to 700. The village is beautifully situ-
ated but retired, — rather more so than the
citizens wish. Its only railroad passes nearly
a mile distant.

There was for a long time a good grist-
mill at Newport, on Market street, named
the " Eureka Mills," run by steam. It was
built by James A. Bell, deceased, who sold
to Curtis &, White; who in turn sold to
B. J. Abbott; and while it was in the pos-
session of the latter, January 26, 1882, it was
burned down, by a careless act of some em-
ployee, and has never since been rebuilt. The
loss was $3,500.

The First National Bank of Newport was
organized in 1871, by Josephus and John
Collett, Abel Sexton, Isaac Porter, R. H.
Nixon and Clark Leavitt, and opened their
place of business in a fine brick building,
erected and fitted up for the purpose, at the
northwest corner of the public square. Its
" national " character was afterward surren-
dered, and the bank changed, by the same
board of directors, into the "Vermillion
County Bank," with a paid up capital of

$60,000 and a surplus of over $6,000, con-
tiiiuiug to do a general banking business. In
January, 1880, it was again changed, taking
tiio name of » Collett & Co.'s Bank," and
comprising Prof. John Collett, of Indianapo-
lis, Stephen S. Collett, of Newport, Mrs.
Mary H. Campbell, of Crawfordsville, and
Joshua Jump of Newport. Since then Mrs.
Campbell's stock has been transferred to Mrs.
Lieutenant M. T. May, of Greencastle; and
now S. S. Collett is general manager, and J.
D. Collett, cashier. Capital, $27,000.

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

The predecessor of the Hoosier State was
the Olive Branch, the iirst paper printed in
Newport, and established by A. J. Adams,
now of Danville, Illinois, and edited by A. D.
Patten. The number for December 29, 1853,
which we presume was the first number,
sliows the motto of the organ to have been,
" We hold the balance with an equal hand,
And weigh whatever justice doth demand."
The paper was AVhiggish in politics, becom-
ing Kepublican on the organization of that
party.

The number above referred to, like all the
country papers of that day, has but little
local news or original matter in it, the salu-
tatory, a column in length, being about all
the original matter in this number. The
following gentlemen were advertised as con-
tributors to the paper: Rev. David Taylor,
Terre Haute; Eobert Eoss, Principal of the
Terre Haute graded school; Samuel Taylor,
Principal of the Newport Seminary; Dr. H.
H. Patten, Princeton, Indiana; and Dr. J. S.
Sawyer, Vincennes, Indiana.

The latest telegraph news in the paper was
dated December 17, twelve days before the
date of issue. A long letter from W. S.
Turner, Bodega, California, dated October 31,
1853, is published. Charity Moss and Susan-

nah Dyke give notice that they will apply at
the next term of the common-pleas court for
a divorce; "William Utter, the county treasurer^
gives notice that he will be at Perrysville the
5th, Eugene the 6th, Indiana Furnace the
10th, and Clinton the 11th, days of January.
1854, for the purpose of collecting taxes due
for the year 1858; Joseph Eeeder, of Clinton
Township, advertises an astray mare taken up
liy him, and appraised at $55 before Esquirt'
Ben Harrison; Eichard Potts, Sheriff, adver-
tises a tract of land in Clinton Township for
sale, belonging to Isaac Van Nest, and in
favor of Benjamin E. and John Whitcomb.
At that time James A. Bell was county
clerk.

W. A. Henderson was the only merchant
of Newport who had an advertisement in tlie
paper. He occupied about one inch of space
in notifying the people that he kept drugs,
all kinds of patent medicines, groceries and
flour. J. M. Hood gives notice that he is a
notary public, and also keeps the telegraph
office, on the east side of the public square,
with ^Y. A. Henderson. Dr. J. E. AVillitts
flings his card to the breeze as a physician
and surgeou. T. C. W. Sale, H. D. Wash-
burn, S. CI. Malone and D. M. Jones have
cards in this number advertising themselves
as attorneys at law.

Most of the advertisements are of Terre
Haute business. There is an item of news
stating that the Evansville & Terre Haute
Eailroad was completed between those two
points.

The price of the Olive Branch was placed
at $1.50 a year if paid in advance, $2 at the
end of six months and $2.50 at the end of a
year.

THE HOOSIER STATE.

The Olive Branch was changed to the
Hoosier State in 1855, and published at

/S./d,^Si>v^

■■■■■■■■■■■"■^

VERMlLLloi^ TOWNSHIP.

Clinton for a time, but brought back to New-
port, where it has since remained. The
proprietors and editors have been Pratt &
Adams, James M. Hood, Samuel II. Huston
(1855, at Clinton), Mr. Campbell, Mitchell,
Vaul (1858), a company, William E. Liven-
good, George W. English (1862-'63), Colonel
II. D. Washburn, S. B. Davis, Joseph B.
Cheadle and S. B. Davis again. It is almost
impossible now to give all the above names
in exact chronological order.

Pratt returned to Ohio. Hood, who was
brought up in this county, left here for the
West. Vaul moved to La Fayette, continu-
ing in the newspaper business. Washburn
died in 1871 (see sketch of him in the history
of Clinton). Cheadle, Congressman elect, is
now editing the Frankfort Banner.

The number of the Hoosier for January
17, 1863, for an example ot the straightness of
the times, had only four columns to the page,
was but little larger than a sheet of foolscap,
and was filled with war news. In the winter
and spring of 1875, " Buffalo Bill" wrote for
the Hoosier State a history entitled " Three
Years in Utah," which was published serially.
Samuel Brenton Davis, editor and pro-
prietor of the Hoosier State, was born June
3, 1842, in Parke County, Indiana, and
named after a Methodist minister, a favorite
of his parents. The latter are Robert and
Melvina (Taylor) Davis, natives of Virginia,
who reside in Ilelt Township, this county,
which was also the the home of Samuel
Brenton from 1856 to 1861.

Mr. Davis was brought up on the farm,
educated in the common schools and at
Bloomingdale Academy. In July, 1861, he
enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, participated in the battle
of Pea Ridge, and the siege of Vicksburg,
besides a number of skirmishes, and, after a
service of one and a half years, he sufi'ered

an attack of the measles, when on a force
march, and he took cold, whicli settled in his
right arm and leg, crippling him for life.
He is obliged to use crutches. After his
return from the army, he was clerk for a
time in a store at Clinton. In 1866 he was
first elected county treasurer, and in 1868 re-
elected to the office. While he held the
office the treasury was robbed of about $36,-
000 (see full account elsewhere), by experts
who wedged the vault doors open during the
night; over §21,000 of the money was re-
covered from the Wabash River, in which
stream the robbers had dropped it when hard
chased by citizens. In 1868, Mr. Davis pur-
chased the office of the Hoosier State. On
the close of his term as treasurer, October,
1870, he devoted his whole attention to this
paper. In 1870, Joe B. Cheadle purchased
it, but nine months subsequently Mr. Davis
bought it again, and has ever since been the
editor and proprietor. He raised the circu-
lation from 216 on the credit system to 912
on the cash system.

As an editor, Davis is enterprising, fearless
and witty. The file of the Hoosier State,
exhibits to the historian an extraordinary
amount of lively local correspondence, and of
editorial patience and liberality. While Mr.
Davis has ever been a staunch Republican, he
can acknowledge a victory gained by the
opposite party with better grace than any
other editor known to the writer. Besides
the office above referred to, Mr. Davis has
also been chosen trustee of Vermillion Town-
ship, being elected in April, 1886, by ten
majority in a Democratic township. Is a
a member of the order of United Workmen.

The subject of our sketch married Sarah C.
Canady, daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth
Canady, — parents now deceased. She is a
native of this township. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are — Bird II., a well edu-

VERMILLION COUNTY.

cated young man; Ora DeLos, a lad exhibiting
considerable talent as a draftsman and
mechanic; Fred, Ren M., liobert Enoch, who
died at the age of one and a half years, and
Melvina.

About 1871-'72 an attempt was made to
start an opposition paper in Newport, Dem-
ocratic in politics, under the name of the
VfrmilUon Transcn'j)t, by Harrison Jump,
who ran it some fifteen months, sinking
si, 900, an 1 sold the office to other parties,
who took it away. Mr. Jump returned to
Ohio, where he entered the grocery business.

But we are not yet done with the Iloonler
State. It has been a remarkable paper for
local correspondence and terse editorials, and
we cannot refrain from giving two or three
of the most innocent'but amusing specimens:

" We learn through the medium of a pot-
bellied gander from the jungles of Brown town
that G. "\V. Rodenbaugh intended to demand
our name for cliarging him witli getting
drunk and flogging his wife. We never
made any such charge, and appeal to the
columns of the Iloosier State to prove it. A
lew meddlers are trying to make a fool of
Rodenbaugh by telling him that every per-
sonal item in the Iloosier is directed at him.
We will make him 'a present of a pair of
heavy boots if he will agree to wear them out
in kicking the — coat-tail of every meddling
sneak who mentions such things to him in-
cluding Mr. Brown[town], who will merit
and receive onr sincere thanks by simply
minding his own business."

In December, 1874, an amusing incident
occurred in Newport, thus wittily reported
by the Iloosier State:

"Somnambulism, or One Night in Walter
Place's Bar Room. A young trump card
from Clinton, named Jaqnes, came up to
attend the big dance at tlie hotel Place; and
after he had exercised nature about all she

was able to bear, lie concluded to rest his
weary bones on a bench in the bar-room. In
a short time he was in the arms of Morpheus,
and soon afterward he arose, as usual in his
somnambulistic fits, walked around the room,
then took a seat on the bench, and, in the
presence of several persons divested himself
of most of the clothing, preparatory to lying
down again, supposing the bench was a bed.
At this juncture he was aroused from his
sleep by the deafening roars of laughter by
those present. On coming to, he looked
worse than a defeated candidate, and proposed
to ' set up ' the cigars if the boys would keep
'mum.' Of course the boys accepted of the
treat, ' pledging their sacred honor ' never to
hint it to Bren Davis of the Iloosier State,
or to any one else! "

Another extract is given in the history of
Helt Townshij), on a preceding page.

KEMARKABLE CASES OF ROBBERY.

The three following accounts are also from
the famous Iloosier State:

On Monday night, April 18, 1870, over
$35,000 was stolen from the county treasury
vault, which had been faithfully closed and
locked. The treasurer was S. B. Davis, then
and now the editor of the Iloosier State.
The doors were forced open by steel wedges,
which were driven by a sledge. Neighbors
heard the noise but not distinctly enough to
have their suspicions aroused.

The next day Orville White, who had just
learned of the burglary, saw two men carry-
ing a sachel across the i'arms about three
miles north of Clinton. Calling two railroad
hands to his assistance, they gave chase, call-
ing upon the suspected fugitives to halt.
They struck for the river, and leaving a por-
tion of their clothing upon the bank, began
to swim across. Mr. White an.d his com-
panions arriving, saw a farmer on the op-

VERMILLION TOM'KSHIP.

posite bank whom they knew, and halloed
to him to kill the rascals as they came oi;t.
The man approached, but the rascals, getting
into shallow water, drew their revolvers and
iired at him. Mr. White then requested his
assistant to watch the thieves until lie could
raise a posse to take them. Discovering a
wallet in the river, Mr. White waded in and
obtained it, and found it contained $16,354.
He then went home, mounted a horse and
started for Clinton to raise a posse; but in
the meantime the scoundrels reached the op-
posite shore, about a mile below where they
entered the stream, soon found two railroad
hands, and drew their revolvers upon them,
commanding them to give up their clothing
in great haste, as they "had got into a row
and had to swim the river to save their
lives." Returning to the river they got into
a skiff and floated down past Clinton under
the cover of the night, and tlius succeeded
in getting away.

The event created a great sensation
throughout the country. It seems that, from
the elaborate and systematic execution of the
burglary, very skillful operators were en-
gaged in it.

It turned out the very next day after Mr.
White's discovery of the fugitive criminals,
that one of the assistants, whom he hastily
picked out from a company of railroad hands
near by, was the receiver of a large amount
of money at that time, in a mysterious man-
ner, but was not present at the robbery.

May 13, §5,210 more of the money was
found in a sachel lodged on the roots of a
Cottonwood a mile and a half below, where
the thieves commenced to swim the river;
!?15,320 were never recovered.

During the latter part of the night of Oc-
tober 12, 1883, a most brutal outrage was
committed by a band of robbers upon Elias
Lamb and his family at their residence near

Newport. In the house were Mr. Lamb and
wife and a married daughter from Wayne
County visiting them. Between three and
four o'clock the dog made considerable noise.
Mrs. Lamb went to the window to see what
was the matter, and hist the dog, which
would only plunge out into the darkness and
then retreat. Not discovering anything, she
returned to bed. But the dog kept up a
howling, and acted as if some one was en-
croaching upon the premises. In a few min-
utes Mr. Lamb went out to see whether he
could discover anything wrong. Returning
to his room he had scarcely lain down when
the door to an adjoining room, against which
stood a large bureau, was burst open, and the
bureau fell to the floor with a terrible crash,
breaking everything that was upon it. Be-
fore the two could get out of bed they were
seized by two burglars and a demand made
for their money. Mr. Lamb gave them all
he had, $25. The demand being repeated to
his wife she said she had §1.75 up stairs.
The villiains made her get it without light-
ing a lamp, at the point of her life. They
then declared that there was more money in
the house, and that they would kill them if
they did not give it up. Mr. Lamb an-
swei-cd that they might kill them, l)ut could
not get any more money, for there was no
more in the house. Then they assaulted him
and threatened to kill them both if tb.ey did
not pay over more money. They first pom-
meled him awhile and then fired two shots,
one of them grazing Mrs. Lamb's head, split-
ting open her ear. Mr. Lamb, although
bodly bruised and one eye closed, managed
to get out of doors, where he pulled the bell-
rope, which frightened the burglars away.

The daughter referred to, who was sleeping
in another room, crawled under the feather
bed and thus escaped discovery. Their son
John, who was sleeping in a house a hundred

yards distant, upon hearing the bell, ran over
to his parents' house; and, finding that they
were suffering for want of medical treatment,
proposed to go immediately for a physician,
but they, fearing the rascals might return
and do further mischief, begged liim to re-
main with them until daylight.

During the morning the tracks of the rob-
bers were traced both ways between their
residence and town, but no further clew was
ever obtained for their discovery.

May 5, 1884, the postoffice was robbed of
>^350 during the night. The safe was blown
open. The burglars were frigliteued away by
the passing of a young man in tlie vicinity
before they obtained all tliat tliey liad intended
to. Tiie thieves were never caught.

ATTORNEYS OF NEWPORT.

.Daniel M. Jones, a native of this county,
attended AVabash College, not quite finishing
the course, was admitted to the bar in 1852
or ~'o3, a member of the Legislature about
1861, as a Republican, was an active partisan,
a natural orator, and a shrewd lawyer, and
died in the fall of 1865, leaving a widow and
three children. She is a sister of Stephen S.
Collett, and resides in Newport. The son,
Frank,' is studying medicine. Mr. Jones'
father, Lewis Jones, was a prominent citizen
of Eugene Township.

Henry D. Washburn, one of the most
prominent men of Vermillion County, prac-
ticed law liere awhile before the war. See
history of Clinton, on a previous page, for a
full sketch.

L. C. Allen, born near Highland, this
county, studied law under the preceptorship
of M. G. Rhoads, Esq., of Newport, and was
admitted to the bar; was justice of the peace
1868-'72, when he occasionally had a little
case. He was a man of firm principles, but
sometimes a little rough. At one time, when

the attorneys in a suit before him got to
wrangling and using profane language, ho
"stood" it as long as he tliought he ought to,
when he blurted out, " I'll be G — d d — d if
you don't quit swearing I'll fine you!" Mr.
Allen left Newport about ten years ago, and
is now deputy clerk at Covington, Indiana.
Nathan Harvey was born and raised in

I Parke County, this State, and educated at the

I Bloomingdale school, a Quaker institution,
under the teaching of Barnabas Hobbs, for-

[ merly State Superintendent of Public In-
struction. He was a young man of fair mind

I and scholarship. On coming to Newport, he
taught school in the seminary during the war,
a couple of years, and then married a daugh-
ter of John C. Johnson. In the practice of
law he became a partner of William Eggles-
ton, but did not practice more than two or
three years when he died, during a session of
court. His widow, with three children, lives
near Newport. Mr. Harvey was an honorable
man and would have become a solid prac-
titioner had he lived.

Robert A. Parrett, a native of this State,
was young when his parents settled with him
in Newport. Ilis father was a traveling
Methodist minister. Robert was brought up
here. Commencing a course at the Asbury
University, he had reached a point in the
freshman or sophomore year when, on account
of delicate health, he had to desist. He then
read law in the office of Judge Jump, was
admitted to the bar and practiced his profes-
sion for a time. In the fall of 1875 he was
admitted as a partner of C E. it M. G.
Rhoads, in which relation lie remained until
January, 1880. Since then he has been en-
gaged in farming, near Newport. He was a
good office lawyer, a good bookkeeper and
attentive to business; but, on account of
delicate health, his father and friends advised
him to quit the practice of law and adopt

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.

some mode of life requiring more physical
and less mental activity.

Professor B. E. Rhoads was born in Penn-
sylvania, May 1, 1834. In 1836 the family
came to Richmond, Indiana, in a one-horse
wagon ; next they came to Hancock County,
near Indianapolis; in 1837, to Parke County;
then to Waveland, Montgomery County,
where the subject attended Waveland Acade-
my (Presbyterian). Entering Wabash College
in the junior year, he graduated there in
1859. Next, he came to Clmton, this county,
and taught in the Farmers' College part of a
year. Then he studied law In the office of
Judge Maxwell, at Rockville, Parke County,
was admitted to the bar, came to Newport in
1861, and commenced the practice of his pro-
fession. Was in partnership with his brother
M. G., 1865-'79. In 1865-'66, he was a
member of the Legislature. In 1878 he
moved to Terre Haute, where he has since
been a resident; but that year he crossed the
ocean with his family, and spent thirteen
months in England and on the continent of
Europe.

Early in the spring of 1881 he was ap-
pointed judge of the Superior Court of Vigo
Connty, serving until November, 1882. For
live j-ears he was one of tlie trustees of the
State University at Bloomington, where he
was also professor of law for a time. In
Terre Haute he owns a nice property. In his
religion he is a Presbyterian, being for a time
an elder in the Motfatt Street Church, in that
city.

In 1876 Professor Rhoads married Miss
Ida, daughter of Robert D. Moffatt, of Perrys-
ville. Their children are Sarah, born in
1877, and Daniel Moffatt, born in 1880.

John D. Cushman was born and reared in
Perrysville, this county. His father, Thomas
Cushman, being elected county auditor in
the fall of 1872, moved to Newport with his

family, and here John D. studied law, was
admitted to the bar, and began practice; was
in partnership with Joshua Jump for a time;
was in the office of Messrs. Rhoads, where he
proved himself a good oflice hand, a fine
penman, intelligent business man, etc. He
was also a good public speaker, but he did
not practice at the bar a great deal. In the
fall of 1875 he went into the Southern States
and traveled for six months. Returning, he
resumed law practice, which he followed,
sometimes by himself and sometimes in part-
nership, until his death six or seven years
ago. lie was a young man of great prom-
ise.

Thomas C. W. Sale was a lawyer here many
years ago, and before the last war went to
Paris, Illinois, where he received an appoint-
ment as Indian agent, and he -was in the far
West for a long period in the fulfillment of-
the duties of that office. He returned to
Paris, where he is now living.

Samuel G. Malone, who also practiced law
here before the war period, removed to
Decatur, Illinois, where he accumulated a
fortime of $75,000 or $100,000, but lost it
all. He is now a farmer in Helt Township,
this county.

AVilliara Eggleston was born in this county,
in 1833, and educated here, attending the
common schools and the county seminary at
Newport, after he was a grown man. He
was naturally indiistrious and persevering.
Taking to the study of law, in due time he
qualified himself for practice and was admitted
to the bar about 1859. Of course he worked
up considerable practice, by a hard struggle,
making many errors, and in the course of
fifteen years' practice acquired a handsome
competence. He next entered upon a mer-
cantile business with his brother, and they
failed, losing all they had; during this mer-
cantile experience, however, William pro-

ceeded with his law practice. lie was a
successful attorney.

"While here he wrote and published three
works: 1., Treatise on County Commission-
ers; 2., a legal work on Damages; and 3., a
play entitled "The Broken-hearted Wife,"

( being a story of woman's love and man's

{ unfaithfulness, and consisting of facts that

t occurred a few years ago.

\ Mr. Eggleston moved to Terre llante

I about 1877.

i Y. E. Witmer, probably about fifty years

I ago came from Ohio to Newport, and prac-

5 ticed here five or six years, and moved to

I some point toward Logansport about six or

I seven years ago, where he has since died. He

! was a man of the "spread-eagle" style, not

( deeply versed, but executive, working up law-

j suits whether they should be worked up or not.

! "William L. Little, a graduate of Asbury

i University, became a Methodist minister,

i preached here a year or two ; then followed

I farming about seven miles southwest of

I Newport, in which he succeeded well; next

» he practiced law at Newport, settled a few

i estates, etc., and then became a merchant,

( and finally moved to Hutchinson, Kansas,

{ about 1882. Mr. Little had a fair intellect,

i and a good degree of information on general

j subjects, and was a prominent citizen of the

{ county. About 1862-'72 he acted as county

i examiner, and then for six or eight years, or

j more, he was county superintendent of schools.

) James Blanchard, a native of this county,

I received a good classical education and was a

( good penman, on which account he was

) employed much in the stores, and county

I offices, as an accountant, copyist, etc. Pick-

1 ing up a little law in the meantime, he was

I admitted to the bar, and in the course of his

i practice he had several partnerships. He was

i a good assistant in preparing papers, conduct-

J ing correr^pondence, making collections, etc.

About three or four years ago he moved to
Terre Haute to assist his brother Ben, and
from there he went to South Hutchinson,
Kansas, where he is now engaged in real-
estate business.

Ben Blanchard, though nominally a lawyer,
never conducted a suit. He is now in Terre
Haute, in the real-estate and abstract business.

Joseph B. Cheadle. present Congressman,
elect from the Ninth District, was born in
this county, read law in the office of Judge
Maxwell at Eockville, admitted to the bar here
about 1868, became deputy collector of inter-
nal revenue, was a candidate for nomination
for a number of offices, gradually drifted out
of the law into editorial work, had charge of
the Hoosier State nine months in 1870, then
the Ilockville Rejnihlican and Rockviile
Tribune, and is now editor of the Frankfort
Banner, Clinton County. Frank, courteous
and polite, he is popular; clever and ambitious,
he is a good business man; is a good story-
teller, and a genial companion.

Joshua Jump, born in Ohio in 1843, stud-
ied law with R. N. Bishop, at Paris, Illinois,
was admitted to the bar, and came to New-
port in 1869, where his partnerships were in
succession with "William Eggleston, Robert

B. Sears, James Blanchard, John D. Cush-
man and from March, 1879, to March, 1885,

C. Vf. "Ward. He was circuit judge from
March, 1885, to November, 1886. In June,
1887, he removed to Terre Haute. He is a
Democrat, and has participated in politics to
some extent, being a delegate to a number of
conventions and member of the State Central
Committee.

Adam Littlepagc, from "West Virginia,
was admitted to the bar here February 0'
1883, formed a partnership with John A.
"Wiltermood for two or three years, married
a daughter of Stephen S. Collett, and returned
to "West Virginia.

VERMILLION TOWNS EI P.

213

John A. Wilterinoocl, Postmaster at New-
port, was appointed to this position Septein-
her 5, 1885, succeeding John Kichardson.
lie was liorii in Vermillion Township, a son
of Joseph W. AViltermood, and brought up
at fanning, most of his early life being spent
ill Eugene Township. He attended the State
Normal at Indianapolis in 1878-'79, taught
school three years, studied law in the office
of Judge Jump, admitted to practice Febru-
ary 6, 1883, associated professionally with
II. II. Conley two years, and with Adam
Littlepage two or three years.

The present bar at NeM-port comprises M.
G. Rhoads. B. S. Aikman (Rhoads & Aikman)
C. AV. Ward, O. B. Gibson (Ward & Gibson),
II. H. Conley and J. C. Sawyer. Sketches of
most of tliese will be found in the regular
biographical department of this volume.

B. S. Aikman is a young man born in this
county, a son of Barton Aikman, an early
settler, graduated at the State Normal School
at Terre Haute, read law in the office of M.
G. Rhoads, admitted to the bar in the fall of
1886, and has been a partner of Mr. Rhoads
since January 1, 1887.

In the winter of lS74:-'75 Mest^rs. Jump
and M. G. Rhoads were attorneys for a fugi-
tive from Illinois, charged with stealing
horses, and succeeded in releasing hiin from
the custody of an officer. This raised con-
siderable excitement among the citizens of
Newport, and indignation meetings were
held here, and also in other parts of the
county. The officer holding the fugitive had
not the proper authority.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the past, we can mention only these:
Dr. J. R. Willetts practiced here previous to
the war period, and moved away. He was
time in partnersltip witli Dr. Griffin,
E. T. Collett, son of

f<ir

V\hn is deceased. Dr

Josephus Collett, Sr., was a graduate of the
Louisville Medical College, practiced here and
in Eugene Township, and in 1878 committed
suicide in Kansas, at the age of fifty-eight
years. Drs. Clark and P. H. Leavitt prac-
ticed here a number of years, a portion of the
time in partnership. The former moved to
Danville, Illinois, in 1875, where he is now
living, and the other died in Newport. Dr.
E. Thompson moved to Illinois and died there.
He left Newport in the fall of 1874.

The physicians now practicing in Newport
are Drs. M. L. Hall, Lewis Shepard and
James Wallace.

Yermillion County is comparatively a
poor place for physicians to find much to do.
As before stated, the country here is remark-
able for a healthy and long-lived population.
They have never been visited by epidemics,
and even that singular disease, milk-sickness,
which used to prevail here, is now entirely
absent, the last case occurring ten or twelve
years ago.

EDUCATION.

Newport has .always had a good school.
According to the provisions of tlie State" law,
a county seminary was established here in
pioneer times, and flourished until the later
free-school system converted it into a o-raded
school about 1852. The building was of
brick. To it additions have been made, and
it is still occupied. The location is on the
bluff, overlooking the broad and romantic
valley of the ^Little Vermillion River. The
new portion, comprising two rooms was
added by the town of Newport, at a cost ot
about §1,000, and, the muncipality having
bought the township's interest in the in-
stitution, all partnership between the two
civil divisions was dissolved last year, 1886.
The building now has four rooms, and corre-
spondingly a full board of teachers comprises

a principal and three assistants. Tlie depart-
ments are the high school, grammar, inter-
mediate and primary. The enrollment last
year was 156. The principal for the year
1887 -'88 is Edward Aikman. The school
has two literally societies, — the Philadel-
pliians and the Sapplionians.

SOCIETIES.

Ncioport Lodge, No. 209, F. ib A.M., was
chartered May 25, 1857; and the first officers
were James A. Bell, Worshipful Master;
Eldridge M. Groves, Senior Warden; James
Tarrance, Junior Warden; Andrew J. Adams,
Treasurer; Joseph B. Cheadle, Secretary;
Seth Knight, Senior Deacon; William Black-
stone, Junior Deacon; J. L. Thomas and T.
J. Arrasmith, Stewards; R. H. Nixon, Tyler.
The munber of meni1)ers was twenty-three,
who met in the same hall tliat is still used.
The present membership is thirty-one, and
the officers, R. C. Sears, Worsliipful Master;
R. II. Nixon, Senior Warden ; E. D. Wheeler,
Junior Warden; Abel Sexton, Senior Deacon;
J. II. Kerdolff, Junior Deacon; A. R. Hop-
kins, Secretary; Charles Potts, Treasurer;
Elias Pritchard and Gr. W. Clark, Stewards;
and II. S. Cady, Tyler. Financially, the lodge
is strong.

Verrnillion Lodge, No 59 i, L 0. 0. F.,
was organized in the room over the furniture
store of David Hopkins, by Past Grand
Hiram Shepard, of Dana Lodge, under a
charter granted May 18, 1882, on the petition
of Robert E. Stephens, Lewis Shepard,
Thomas Cushman, F. Y. Wade, Julius
Groves and J. M. Taylor. Tlie following
members were elected officers and duly in-
stalled: Lewis Shepard, Noble Grand; Eobert
E. Stephens, Vice-Grand; Thomas Cushman,
Secretary; J. M. Taylor. Treasurer. At the
time of this organization there were thirteen
members. There are now thirty-seven mem-

bers, and the present officers are, M. G.
Rhoades, Noble Grand; H. A. Conley, Vice-
Grand; Matthew Ly tie. Recording Secretary;
Thomas Cushman, Permanent Secretary; W.
P. Henderson, Treasurer. The society is now
in a very prosperous condition. The furni-
ture, equipments and regalia cost about $600,
and the room is an unusually nice one,
38 x 50 feet in dimensions, exclusive of the
vestibules.

Hope Lodge, No. 268, Daughters of Be-
hekah, was chartered November 18, 1886,
and the first officers elected January 22, 1887,
with ten members. Thomas Cushman,
Noble Grand; Mrs. D. S. Hopkins, Vice-
Grand; Mrs. Dessie Johnson, Secretary; Mrs.
Mary Henson, Treasurer. The membership
is now (June, 1887) thirteen, who are
zealous, with a good exchequer. They com-
prise the best talent in the conununity.

Shiloh Post, No. Ji.9, Q. A. B., was organ-
ized March 22, 1882, with R. J. Hasty, Post
Commander; J. II. Kerdolff, Senior Vice-
Commander; J. A. Darby, Junior Vice-
Commander; R. H. Nixon, Surgeon; Z.
Thornton, Chaplain; A. C. Brokaw, Officer of
theDay;T. A. McKnight, Officerof the Guard :
who were duly installed by Mustering Officer
R. B. Sears. The appointed officers were J.
W. Harlan, Adjutant; J. C. Bailey, Quarter-
Tuaster Sergeant; William C. Myers, Ser-
geant-Major. The officers comprised the
whole membership. The post has not been
meeting lately, but the present officers are,
Edward Brown, Post Commander; R. II.
White, Junior Vice-Commander; John A.
Darby, Officer of the Day; John Richard-
son, Quartermaster; William Bennett, Sur-
geon; II. II. Conlej', Chaplain; C. S. Davis,
Adjutant; Vf. P. Henson, Sergeant-JMajor;
J. C. Dillow, Quarterinaster-Sei-geant. There
are about thirty members in good standing.
The time of meeting is every second and

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.

fourth Friday evening of the montli, in Place's
Hall.

A company of Sons of Veterans was or-
ganized March 20, 1884, with Frank Hasty
for Captain. Commencing with ten mem-
bers, they reached sixteen, but they soon lost
their zeal, holding their last meeting Decem-
ber 19, 1884. They contemplate reorganiz-
ing. Their last Captain was William F.
Thornton.

The A. 0. U. W. organized a lodge at
Newport March 4, 1879, with a membership
of sixteen, and Dr. M. L. Hall as Past Mas-
ter AVorkman; E. B. Sears, Master Work-
man ; "W. P. Henson, Grand Foreman ; Joseph
Dillow, Overseer; C. S. Davis, Kecorder;
George W. Odell, Financier; L.J. Place, Ee-
ceiver; L. D. Dillow, Gnard; Henry Dil-
low, Inside .Warden; Lou Coil, Outside
Warden. The charter was surrendered Feb-
ruary 24, 1883. At one time they had as
many as twenty-live or thirty members.

The Neviport Light Guards were organ-
ized under the military law of the State, with
over forty members, and J. A. Souders, Cap-
tain. They obtained from the State an equip-
ment of fifty guns and tlie necessary
accoutrements. But in a year or two they
got to quarreling over the captaincy, some
favoring J. A. Souders, Init a majority E.
H. Nixon, and consequently let their inter-
est in the drill die.

The Newport Cornet Band was organized
a number ot years ago, went down, and reor-
ganized, or a new organization effected. John
A. Darby and J. W. Hartman are the only
present members who were members of the
iiriginal organization. The present members
are, John A. Darby and Quincy Myers, E
flat; Ernest Darby and Albert Wheeler, B
flat; J. W. Hartman, solo alto; William
Sharp, second alto; W. C. Arrasmith and
Joseph Hopkins, B flat tenor; L. M. Wheeler,

B flat baritone; Fred Duzan, E flat tuba;
William Brown, snare drum; Henry Garrett,
base drum. This accommodating band " dis-
courses sweet music " every Sunday afternoon
at the court-house. The players are skillful,
and have often rendered satisfactory service
on public occasions.

TEMPERANCE.

Newport has had the usual fights over the
temperance question, and the usual temper-
ance societies. Skipping over the long pe-
riod l)efore the war, we notice that since the
war about the first public movement was the
organization of a lodge of Good Templars, in
1868, with the following officers: Eev. J. E.
Wright (Methodist traveling minister here at
the time), Betsy Griflin, Joseph Hopkins,
Benjamin Carter, Ivy A. Astor, Sally Can-
ady, John Wigley, Eebecca Huft" and Joseph
B. Cheadle. The lodge has long since ceased
to exist.

The next movement was the tidal wave of
the " woman's crusade " in 1874, which struck
Newport with some violence and persistency.
Meetings were held at the churches, speeches
made, and a committee appointed to wait
upon the^ two saloonists of the place, who
soon closed their dram shops and signed a
pledge not to open again in Newport. A
firm of druggists, however, comprising
William M. and William L. Triplett (father
and son), refused to sign the same pledge,
ofiering one of their own drafting, which
allowed them to sell liquor for " medical,
mechanical, chemical and sacramental pur-
poses." They were publicly charged, in a set
of formal resolutions, with selling liquor by
wholesale for drinking purposes, but they de-
nied having done so for a long time. The
controversy over their case M-as long and bit-
ter, but they held their ground. Since then

the senior member of the firm has died, and
the junior has moved away.

In December following an enraged woman
from the country came into town and smashed
in the windows of a saloon where her hus-
band was spending too much of his time,
made a general " scatterment" among thein-
ma'tes and soon persuaded her loafing husband
to take a straight line for home.

In 1877 the Murphy, or blue-ribbon move-
ment struck Newport like a cyclone. At tlie
very first meeting 153 signed the pledge, and
in a few days afterward probably as many
more. But the red-ribbon movement, inau-
gurated by Tyler Mason in 1879, proved to
have more vitality. Of this, Thomas Cush-
maii, William Gibson and Robert B. Sears
were in succession presidents.

A "Woman's Christian Temperance Union
was organized in Newport, in which the lead-
ers were Mrs. Zachariah Thornton, Mrs. Ram-
sey, Mrs. Ervin Lamb, Mrs. Sears and others.
At one time they had forty or filty members
or more, but their meetings have been discon-
tinued. In connection with the Perrysville
union, they for a time edited a temperance
column in the Hoosier State.

Order of Eclampsus Vitus! — Thi sis the
high-sounding title, apparently Greek or
Latin, of an imaginary secret society, taking
its rise at Newport and other points in this
county probably about fifteen years ago,
whose entertainment consists in blindfolding
the candidate for initiation and playing a
variety of make-believe tricks upon him.

The Presbyterians organized a church here
many years ago, ran down and reorganized in
the spring of 1875, by Rev. Mitchell, of
Clinton, with only seven members. The
ruling elders were M. G. Rhoads and I. B.
Fusselman, now of Danville, Illinois. Mr.

Rhoads and his wife are the only members
now, and there is no regular preacliing. The
church building, a frame about 40x50 feet,
on Market street a little ea?t of the public
square, was erected probably about forty
years ago, soon after the first organizatiosi
was effected, and is now occupied by the
United Brethren. There has never been a
resident pastor at Newport. Among the
earlier pastors were Rev. J. Hawks, of Ptr-
rysville, some thirty years ago, who died
about ten years afterward; Rev. Henry Ba-
con, now of Toledo, Ohio, then of Covington,
Indiana; after a vacancy. Rev. Mitchell
preached once a month for a part of a year,
1875-'76.

The Methodists organized a class at New-
port in primitive days. In time they built a
church. When this became old, and the con-
gregation too large for it, it was sold and
some time afterward torn down. Tlie pres-
ent large edifice was erected about 1851, ex-
cept that eighteen feet have since been added.
The present membership is 175, including a
few probationers. The class-leaders are Rev.
John A. Farrett, a local preacher, and Abel
Sexton. Exhorter, John Henson. Stewards —
II. H. Conley, C. S. Davis, David Hopkins,
James Hasty and Joshua N. Davis. Sunday-
school all the year, with an average attend-
ance of 125, superintended by Abel Sexton
for the last twenty years. Rev. Ricliaid S.
Martin, pastor, occupying the very fine par-
sonage on East Market street, built in 1882.
The greatest revivals, or periods of special
interest, were under the ministrations of
Revs. Richard Robinson, about 1860, W. A.
Smith and J. H. Hollingsworth.

The United Brethren Church at Newport
was organized in 1870, by Rev. Samuel Gar-
rigus, who was then a resident of Bellmore,
Parke County, but is now at Crawfordsville,
tliis State. The society at first comprised but

twelve or fourteen members, but it has in-
creased to ninety, principally under the labors
of the present pastor, Rev. B. F. Dungan,
within the last few months. The first class-
leader was C. M. P.arkes; the present class-
leader is Eettie R. Smith; assistant
class-leader, Mrs. Belle Thornton. These
ladies have a very large field of spiritual
work, compared with class-leaders generally.
A lively Sunday-school of about seventy pu-
pils is maintained throughout the year, super-
intended by Mrs. Thornton. The steward of
the church at this point is Z. P. Thornton.
The society at present worships in the Pres-
byterian church, on Market street, one block
east of the public square, but they contem-
plate building a house of worship this year.
A pleasant house is rented for a parsonage in
the west part of the village.

Eev. B. F. Dungan, minister in charge of
the United Brethren churches of the Newport
Circuit, Upper "Wabash Conference, was born

in Fountain County, Indiana, in 1863. His
parents, Benjamin T. and Hannah (Camp-
bell, nee Shoup) Dungan, are both living in
Parke County. Both the parents are natives
of Ohio; father of Scotch, German and Irish
ancestry, and the mother of German. Mr.
Dungan was brought up on a farm, and has
always been an industrious, hard-working
laborer, both with mind and body. Was or-
dained a local preacher in the church of his
choice June 28, 1883, and since September,
1885, ho has been a member of the annual
conference. Having a strong physical foun-
dation and a high ambition, he is a '' man of
destiny " in its noblest sense. June 13, 1883,
he married Miss Mary Taulby, daughter of
C. Columbus and Eraeline Taulby, and a na-
tive of Boone County, Indiana. Both her
parents are deceased. Since September, 1886,
Mr. and Mrs. Dungan have been residents of
Newport.

SETTLEMENT.

N this township, more
than any other in the
county, where the In-
dian villages, the In-
dian battlefields, the
first trading posts and
the first settlements. While the
first settler in the county was
John Vannest, in Clinton Town-
in 1816, Eugene Township
was more rapidly settled at the
beginning than was Clinton. It
was in Eugene Township that the
Groenendykes, Thompsons, Por-
ters, Armours, Colletts, Hepburns,
Colemans, Malones, Naylor,
Slielbys, etc., settled, all on the Big Vermill-
ion Kiver. Most of these have numerous
and prominent descendants. Although the
first mill in the county is claimed for Clinton
Township, — built by John Beard in 1819 or
'20, — probably the first large and reliable
mill in the county was built by John Groenen-
dyke, about the same time or shortly after, on

the Big Yerniillion, at the point in the
nortliern portion of the village of Eugene
still occupied by the largest and best mill in
the county.

The following list of early settlers is not
designed to be a complete catalogue; it is
only a chronological classification of some of
the most impoitant arrivals, from the data
available.

1816. — Noah Hubbard, with a wife and a
large number of children. After residing
here many years he became a Mormon and
went to Missouri, to join liis people, then to
Nauvoo, Illinois, remaining with them until
they were driven away from there, about
1847, when he returned to this county and
began preaching the peculiar doctrine. Ee-
joining the Mormon colony at Council Bluft's,
Iowa, he died there. His wife, Catharine,
then returned to this section of the country,
and finally died near this county, in Illinois.
Their daughter, Pamelia, married a man
named Curtis.

1818. — Isaac Coleman settled three miles

iSSSHSSS^

EUGENE TOWNSHIP.

south of Eugene, on the little prairie since
known by his name. Judge J. M. Coleman
came to the township a subsequent year, from
Virginia, settling on section 16, 17 north, 9
west, and was long intimately associated with
the Colletts. He had helped [to lay out the
city of Indianapolis, and also the town of
Terre Haute, where he also built the old
coTirt-house. In this county he was one of
the first grand jurors and associate judges.
He afterward moved to Iowa City, where he
built the State house, died and was buried.

This year came Major James Blair, who
settled on the northeast quarter of section 16,
17 north, 9 west; and at his cabin on this
place was held the first court in the county.
Mr. Blair had been a sharp-shooter on Lake
Erie, under Commodore Perry, in the war
of 1812, when he was detailed to shoot at the
Indians in the rigging of the British war
vessels; but at the very first fire of Perry's
artillery the Indians were so frightened that
they hastily " scuttled " down into 'the hold,
and there were no Indians for Mr. Blair to
do his duty upon. As his vessel sailed past
the British men-of-war, he could see the
glittering tin canisters down through the
muzzles of their guns. For his faithful ser-
vices, Mr. Blair received a medal from the
Government. On one occasion, after he
became a resident of this county, he was a
candidate for the Legislature, he attended a
shooting-match, participated, and aimed so
well that every naan present voted for him at
the ensuing election! On still another occa-
sion he played an amusing trick upon the
simple-minded pioneers and Indians, in the
settlement of a controversy between them.
See section on Indians.

Blair married a daughter of Judge Coleman,
resided for a time on Coleman's Prairie, and
then moved up the river and founded Perrys-
ville, which place he named in honor of his

brave commander. Commodore O. II. Perry,
remaining there until his death.

Both Blair ,and Coleman had an intimate
acquaintance with the Indians, and lived in
friendship with them for a number of years.
It frequently fell to theii- lot to act as peace-
makers between the Indians and what were
termed the "border ruffians," who were much
the worse class of the two. These two pio-
neers always spoke in the highest terms of
Se-Seep, the last chief who lived in the
vicinity, who was said to be 110 years old
when he was foully murdered by a renegade
Indian of his own tribe. Like the fading
autumn leaves, the aborigines of the forest
died away. The guns and dogs of the white
man frightened away the game from their
hunting grounds, or destroyed it, and the
virtue of a dire necessity called upon them to
emigrate, to make room for the ax and plow,
the cabin and the school-house, of the incom-
ing white man.

1819. — John Groenendyke came from near
Ovid, Cayuga County, New York, first to
Terre Haute in 1818, and the next year to
this county, settling on the Big Vermillion
where Eugene now stands. He was the father
of James — who built the " Big Vermillion,"
the first large grist-mill in the county already
referred to — and Samuel, and the grandfather
of Hon. John Groenendyke and his cousin
Samuel, and also the grandfather of the pres-
ent Colletts. The name was originally Van
Groenendycke, which the express agent at Eu-
gene, Samuel, has abbreviated still further to
Grondyke — a word of two syllables, the first
syllable being pronounced groan. The first
family of this line came to America from
Holland with the Knickerbockers in 1617,
settling in New Amsterdam (New York).

1821. — James Armour settled here soon
after Mr. Groenendyke, and assisted in build-
ing the mill; he moved to Illinois over twenty

HISTORY OF VEIIMILLION COUNTY.

years ago. Alexander Arrasraitli, born in
Kentucky, in 1795, emigrated to Sullivan
County, Indiana, in 1818, and in 1821 (or
1824 according to one authority) to this
county. lie died at his residence two and a
half miles south of Eugene, January 15,
1875, having been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church for forty years. He was
the father of Richard Arrasmith, born in
Sullivan County in 1818, and of Thomas Ar-
rasmith, a wagon-maker at Newport.

1822.— William Thompson, father of James,
John and Andrew, and of Mrs. Jane Shelby,
from Pennsylvania, settling near the big spring
a mile south of Eugene, since known by his
name. Their descendants have been economi-
cal, industrious and fortunate, accumulating
a large amount ot property. This year also
came Benjamin Shaw, from Vigo County,
but originally from Kentucky, and settled
near Eugene, and afterward on the Little
Vermillion, about live miles west of New-
port, where he died nearly half a century
afterward. The widow, nee Elizabeth Elli-
ott, who was born in Shelby County, Ken-
tucky, October 21, 1802, survived until
November 19, 1884, when she died in Terre
Haute, a member of the Baptist church.
After the death of her husband she moved to
Eugene and lived there until 1879. They
were the parents of ten children, three of
whom survived their mother, namely, Mrs.
Wilson Naylor, Mrs. John Groeneudyke and
Robert E. Shaw, who was born here in 1829;
they all reside in Terre Haute. Andrew Tip-
ton, born in Kentucky in 1800, came here in
1822, and remained until his death, and J.
W. Tipton, from Ohio, settled on the Wabash
River. His daughter Polly married Mr.
Johnson, and died April 2, 1876, in the
eighty-second year of her age, a member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

1823. — Lewis Jones located here probably

about 1823, and died many years ago. J. A.
J ones, born in 1821, was brought here in
1823.

1824. — Jones Lindsey, born in Ohio in
1818, came here this year. The next year
there arrived Oliver Lindsey, born in the
same State in 1807. Both are still living in
this county. Judge Rezin Shelby, who be-
came very wealthy, died many years ago.
His wife, nee Jane Thompson, who came twn
years previously, was born in Pennsylvania in
1798, and died but a few years ago. Their
son. Major David Shelby, died in the last
war.

1825. — The parents of James Shewanl,
who was born this year. Ezekiel Sheward
died fifteen or eighteen years ago.

1826.— William Fultz, Sr., born in Penn-
sjdvania in 1805, with his wife Nancy, came
to Eugene Township either this year or in
1828, locating on Sand Prairie. They had
thirteen children, and are not now living.
The parents of Joseph Holtz, who was born
in Ohio in 1822, came to the coxmty this
year. John Holtz, born in the same State
the same year, settled here in 1834.

1827. — Samuel W. Malone, born in Ohio
in 1810, came to Helt Township, this county,
in 1824, and to Eugene in 1827, where he is
still living, running a hotel. W. M. New-
man, born in Virginia in 1811, still living
here. Mariin Patrick came some time prior
to 1827. Hiram Patrick, born here in 1829,
is still here, and William Patrick, born in
this county in 1831, lived here many years
and went to Missouri. Thomas Patrick is
yet another old resident. This year or pre-
viously came the father of John Ross, who
was born in Ohio in 1829, and brought here
the same year.

1828. — Ignatius Sollars, who died in June,
1833. Nancy, wife of Truman Sollars, died
September 15, 1869, aged fifty-seven and a

EUGENE TOWNSHIP.

half years. Mrs. Jane Case, widow of Philo
Case, was born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and
died here long ago. Matthew Cole, born in
Ohio in 1824, was brought to this county in
1828, as was also Jesse Smith, from Tennes-
see, the year of his birth. The latter died
long ago. This year came also W. L. Nay-
lor, and the next year Lewis T. Naylor, who
is living here. Both were born in Ohio, W.
L. in 1821, and Lewis T. in 1826. Benja-
min Naylor, another old resident, was born
also in 1826. Jacob lies, who died many
years ago, was the father of James B., born
in 1829, and Jacob H., born in 1833, both in
this county.

1829. — John Hepburn, Sr., who was
born in Virginia in 1800, died here about
1880. John Hepburn Jr., was born in this
county in 1833. William Hepburn was
born in Ohio in 1823, and was brought here
in 1829. (The above name is pronounced he-
burn.) Enoch W. Lane, born in Ohio in
1798, died over thirty years ago.

1830. — John Sims, born in Virginia in
1808, lived a mile and a half south of Eugene
a number of years ago. "Crate" Sims, his
son, was born in Virginia the same year.
Charles S. Little, from Virginia, located near
Eugene in 1830, aad died in 1852, at the age
of sixty-three years. His wife, whose maiden
name was Kachel Moore, died, seven miles
southwest of Newport, in 1881, aged eighty-
one years. (See sketcli of Eufus P. Little.)

Eev. Enoch Kinsbury came from Massa-
chusetts to Eugene about the year 1830, and
organized the Presbyterian church which still
survives at that place. His wife Fanny G.
taught school there for a time. Their eldest
son, James G. Kingsbury, one of the editors
and publishers of the Indiana Farmer at
Indianapolis, was born at the residence of
Dr. Asa E. Palmer two miles north of
Eugene, in 1832. The same year the family

removed to Danville. Illinois, where Mr.
Kingsbury organized a church and preached
for many years. He also acted as a home
missionary, preaching in neighboring counties
both in Indiana and Illinois, till the close of
his life in 1868.

1831. — Harrison Alderson, who died in
early day. His wife Elizabeth, born in Vir-
ginia in 1822, has ^also been long deceased.

1832.— Philo and Milo Hosford, twins,
born in New York in 1811. Milo died in
January, 1880, a man having always been
noted for equauimity,humility and trustworth-
iness. Was long in the employ of Samuel
Grondyke. Joseph Wigley, this year or
previously; now dead. William was born in
this county this year. Either this year or
next came Joseph and Sarah Moore, from
Ohio; the latter is still residing here. She
was born in Maryland in 1803.

1833. — Isaac A. Brown, Sr., born in Tennes-
see in 1816, settled "Brown Town," and is still
living. Has weighed in his life-time over 300
pounds. W. F. Shelato, a resident, was born
in this county in 1833.

1834. — John Eheuby, either this year or
before, from Illinois, where he had settled in
1826. William , Eheuby was born in this
county in 1834. J. W. Boyd, who was born
in Pennsylvania in 1828, died a number of
years ago.

1837.— The parents of Edward B. and
Joseph Johnson; father died many years ago.
Edward B. was born in Indiana in 1830, and
Joseph in this county, in 1834. Goldman
M. Hart, born in Tennessee in 1809, died in
1886; widow survives. James C.Tutt,born in
Virginia in 1816, now living in the southern
part of the county.

1839. — Barney Vandevander, born in Illi-
nois in 1827, is a resident of Eugene.

Other pioneers, whose years of arrival are
not given, are: Zeno Worth and Shubael

niSTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

Gardner, from North ^Carolina, who settled
Walnut Grove: Mr. Worth selected lands
which have been held by his family to the
fourth generation. Alexander Eichardson
and wife Mahala at Eugene, he died in In-
dianapolis in 1864 (or '74), and she March 3,
1880, at the age of seventy years. She was
born in Knox County, Kentucky, and was but
eight years of age when her parents moved to
this State, settling at Bloomington. Lewis
HoUingsworth was born in this county in
1835. On Coleman's Prairie settled families
by the name of Wilson, Dicken, Hopkins, etc
John K. Porter, A. M., circuit judge for
many years, and an advanced farmer between
Eugene and Newport, was born in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, February 22, 1796, of an
"old English" family; graduated at Union
College, Schenectady, New York, in 1815,
taking the first honors of his class; studied
law, and in 1818 became a pa-tner of his pre-
ceptor; about 1820 he came to Paoli, Orange
County, Indiana, wliere he was county clerk,
postmaster and circuit judge. Wliile there
he married Mary Worth. Keceiving from
the Legislature the appointment as President
Judge of Western Indiana, he moved to this
county, settling in Eugene Township. His
circuit extended from the Ohio River to
Lake Michigan. His term expired in 1837.
Here he was elected judge of tlie Court of
Common Pleas for the counties of Parke and
Vermillion, which office he held until his
death, about 1850. He was a prominent
statesman in early day, in laying the founda-
tion of Indiana Jurisprudence. Was a close
reader of Eastern agricultural papers, and
also of the ancient classics, and foreign quar-
terly reviews and magazines. His conversa-
tional powers were accordingly very great,
and his letters and contribiitions to the press
were gems of eloquence. He was in cor-
resjiondence, more or less, with such men as

General Harrison, Henry Clay, Daniel Web-
ster, etc., besides many Georgia " colonels."
Prominent men of Indiana were often his
guests. He was the leading spirit in all pub-
lic mass meetings in his neighborhood as-
sembled for deliberation on measures of public
welfare. AVas president of the Logansport
convention, which gave initial direction to
the construction of the Wabash Valley Eail-
road.

As an agriculturist he was scientific and in
advance of all his neighbors, — so far indeed
as often to excite their ridicule. He led in
the rearing of fine-wooled sheep, and in the
cultivation of Switzer lucerne, ruta-bagas,
sugar beets, moris multicaulis, Baden coi-n
and hemp. Although these rare things never
were remunerative in cash, they paid well in
pleasure.

Judge Porter's children were John AV., de-
ceased, Isaac, Dewey and Abba. Jolin W.
married Henrietta, daughter of Andrew
Tipton, a neighbor, and their family con-
sisted of two sons and four daughters. Tlie
widow is still living, on the old homestead.
Isaac is a successful business man of Dan-
ville, Illinois. Dewey is a farmer on the old
homestead. Abba married Dr. Davidson, of
California, who afterward returned to this
coimty and died on his farm near the old
homestead.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

;^ugene Township, as will be seen from
several pages of this work, is noted for an-
tiquities. Besides those related in the intro-
ductory chapters of this history, we specify
two or three more in this connection, for want
of a better classification.

In 1869 Prof John Collett discovered in a
mound near Eugene a small coin upon wliicli
was an untranslatable inscription, in char-

■ -■-■ ■ -^ ■ ■g iCT

'■■■■■■nMaWMgia'aS

EUGENE TOWNSHIP.

acters closely resembling Arabic. The mound
was covered with full-grown forest trees.

Early settlers near Eugene found an ax
growing in the heart of an oak witli 125
rings of growth outside of it, thus indicating
that the implement was left there as early as
1712, probably by a French missionary.
While it is generally understood, and is gen-
erally true, that a ring of wood growth indi-
cates a year's time, the question has recently
been mooted by botanists whether it is always
exactly true, as some of them seem to have
evidence that there is variation both ways, — ■
that it^, that some unfavorable seasons pro-
duce no distinct ring, while other and more
favorable years sometimes produce two rings.
Different kinds of trees, different stages of
development and different situations also pro-
duce variatit)ns.

In zoology, the following incident illus-
trates a rare trait of aninral nature: One
evening about sundown, in April, 18G8, as
<'Eel" Vickers, who lived about four miles
northwest of Eugene, was returning home
from a house-raising, he was suddenly alarmed
by the scream of a lynx, which he soon dis-
covered was in pursuit of him. Being un-
armed, he dared not give battle, and began
to run homeward with all his might. Of
course the beast could easily enough have
overtaken Vickers at a bound or two, when-
ever it desired, but such is feline nature that
it occasionally rested a moment and screamed
most territically. When Vickers approached
his house the animal jumped around in trout
of him, to intercept his passage to the house;
but at this critical moment the dogs arrived
and chased it away. Its previoiis yelling had
alarmed them and brought them out just in
time, but with not a second to lose !

November 7, 1874, George Barbour, a
cooper from Browntowu, went to Eugene,
with five or six other hands, and he, with two

or three others, became very drunk. On
their way home Barbour was murdered, in
this township, and his body so concealed that
it was not found until January 18 following,
when a man named Smith was passing along
the road and chanced to notice a dog at some
distance, devouring a suspicious-looking mass!
The victim was a man about twenty-four years
of age. In his pockets were found several
photographs, two or three letters, and a re-
ceijjt from the Coopers' Union, of Terre
Haute, for quarterly dues as a member of
that organization.

EUGENE.

This village was laid out by S. S. Collett,

in 1827, about the "Big Vermillion" mill of

James Groenendyke, on a most eligible site.

Samuel W. Malone, the present hotel-keeper,

who located here in 1827, is the oldest liv

resident, and is still an active man. James
F. Naylor, fatiier of William L., came the
next year.

As previously remarked, Eugene is another
example of those niimerous towns that were
killed by the railroad passing just at killing
distance; but it is a beautiful place for a
quiet residence. The present population is
estimated at about 500. Two or three con-
spiciious features strike the stranger who
visits the place. One is, a most magnificent
row of sugar-maple shade trees for a distance
of two squares on the west side of the main
business street. Each tree, with a perfectly
symmetrical head, covers an area of forty feet
in diameter. In the western part of the
village is the most beautiful, perfect, large
white elm the writer ever saw.

The ground upon which Eugene is situated
is just sandy enough to be good for garden-
ing, and at the same time prevent being
muddy in rainy seasons. Wells are sunk
only eighteen or twenty feet to find the purest

284

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNT t.

water, in a bed of gravel. Several large
springs are in the vicinity. The river here,
especially below the mill-dam, aft'ords the
best fishing of all points probably within a
radius of iifty miles or more. Fish weighing
sixty pounds or more are sometimes caught,
and German carp, one of the planted tish,
weighing eight pounds, are occasionally cap-
tured.

The country here is all underlaid with
coal. There is one vein of nine feet, with
only a seam of ten or twelve inches di-
viding it.

Among the modern enterprises of Eugene
is the organization of the Joint Stock Fair
Association, who held their iirst fair last fall,
beginning September 28, 1886. James Ma-
lone, President; H. D. Sprague, Vice-Presi-
dent; John S. Grondyke, Secretary; M.
G. Ilosford, Assistant Secretary; II. O.
Peters, Treasurer; J. E. Whij^ple, Assistant
Treasurer; J. E. Bennett, Superintendent;
G. L. Watson, Assistant Superintendent.
Directors — -J. II. lies, Samuel Grondyke, N.
Vl. Tutt, Eli ]\IcI)aniel, Dr. E. A. Flaugher,
Fred Iliberly, William Collett, Henry Dicka-
5on, Milton Wi-ight, John Lane and James
Arrasmith, — a formidable list of the best
names in the northern part of the county.
Their exhibition last fiill was greatly cur-
tailed by rainy weather.

On the bank of the river here was erected
Ijy James Groenendyke, some time previous
to 1824, a water, saw and grist-mill, which,
with its successors, has enjoyed the greatest
notoriety of all in the county. While Mr.
Coleman owned it many years ago, the dam
was washed away, and the present mill,
erected in 1885, is the third building on the
site, two others having been burned down.
It is a large roller mill, owned and managed
l>y Samuel Bowers, recently from Danville,
Illinois.

There is no newspaper at Eugene. The
Eugene News Letter was started by Dr. B.
M. Waterman at Eugene in 1837, the first
newspaper in Vermillion County. It lived
but six months. Eobert B. Dickason, now of
Perrysi'ille, was a compositor in the office.
Thus Eugene Township has been the seat ot
the first and of the last newspapers of tl-
county.

or Eugene Station, is the name of the depot
at the railroad crossing a mile and a quarter
southeast of Eugene. An ambitious little
village is springing up about the station. A
fine grist-mill, several stores, a newspaper,
etc., are in full blast. The place was at first
called Osonimon, after an Indian chief of that
name.

The "Cayuga Mills" were built in 1885
by the Cayuga Milling Company, consisting
of Samuel K. Todd, Monroe G. Ilosford and
Eli H. McDanieL It is a frame building,
36 X 42 feet, four stories high, and has the
full roller process, with a capacity of 100
barrels a daj'. The engine is the Ide auto-
matic, sixty-four-horsepower. All the modern
improved processes for purifying the wheat
and manufacturing first-class flour are placed
in the mill, including the recently invented
Case's automatic wheat weigher. Mr. Todd
is the experienced miller who runs the works.
The mill was built in a wheat-field, and was
the first at the station.

May 14, 1887, is the date of the first issue
of the Cayuga Journal, by James E. Whipple.
It is a six-column folio, "independent in all
things and neutral in nothing." The pro-
prietor and editor was born at Vinton, Iowa,
September 8, 1857, the son of Lucien \\.
Whipple, who has been a resident of Eugene
from 1840 to the present, except a few years
in loM-a. Mr. Whipple was brought up in

EUGENE TOVtNSUIP.

Eugene, where lie was bookkeeper for Mr_
Peters a few years, and was also insurance
agent. He has been justice of the peace, and
is now deputy prosecuting attorney, and
secretary of the Cayuga Building and Loan
Association. He married Ellen Thompson,
daughter of John Thompson, deceased. They
have one child, named Blaine.

Among the physicians of Eugene we may
mention Dr. K. M. Waterman, who came
here previous to 1837 and lived here until his
death, aboiit 1867 or '68, except a short time
at Lodi, Indiana, whence he entered the
army. Pie was a " regular " physician, from
lihode Island, and started the iirst newspaper
in Vermillion County, as elsewhere noticed.
Dr. James McMeen practiced here many
years, and in 1886 removed to Danville,
Illinois. Dr. "William C. Eichelberger is
another physician of Eugene.

Previous to 1871 the village of Eugene
had but three and a half months' school per
annum, the only fund for maintaining it
l>eing that which was drawn from the State,
and the school-house was an incompetent
frame. In 1872-'73, Anthony Fable, the
trustee, levied the first tax for the support of
schools, and also for the erection of a brick
school-house worthy of the place. He met
with sonic opposition, a few individuals think-
ing he transcended his authority. They
obtained an injunction restraining the collec-
tion of the tax, but, through the intervention
(if Messrs. Jump & Eggleston, attorneys at
Newport, the injunction was dissolved, and
tlie work went on. The people also were
generally convinced that if a new school-house
were not built then it would be many years
before one would be built. Accordingly the
structure was completed in 1873, at a cost of
$f],000. It has four rooms; the school is
graded, and kept six months in the year; and
everything now seems to be p:

smoothly. James Malone is the present
trustee. Mr. Fable was trustee 1869-'81,
and for a time sustained school nine months
to the year.

SOCIETIES.

A Masonic lodge was organized at Eugene
in 1847, with forty-six or forty-seven mem-
bers. Among the first officers were C. M.
Comages, Worshipful Master; Harvey Skel-
ton. Senior Warden; Dr. E. M. Waterman,
Junior Deacon; George Sears, Secretary;
Anthony Fable, Treasurer; Mr. Elsley, Tyler.
Mr. Fable is the only one of the original
official board who is now living. The mem-
bership in the course of time reached sixty in
number, comprising men from almost all
parts of the county. The lodge, however,
ran down about thirty years ago, as other
lodges were organized at neighboring points
and drew away the membership. Newport,
Lodi and Perrysville obtained their nuclei
from the Eugene lodge. Harvey Skelton
was the last master.

Setting Sun Lodge, No. 583, I. 0. 0. F.,
was organized April 27, 1881, with seventeen
members, and the following officers: Will-
iam II. Hood, Noble Grand; E. B. Johnson,
Vice Grand; H. O. Peters, Treasurer; D. W.
Bell, Secretary. The present membership is
twenty-seven, and the officers are: D. L. Pe-
ters, Noble Grand; James Thomas, Vice-
Grand; J. T. Iliggins, Secretary; D. W.
Bell, Treasurer.

Eugene Post, No. 2'B, G. A. R., was or-
ganized in 1876, with about twenty-two
members, afterward increased to thirty-five,
but now there are only ten. The first officers
were: William C. Eichelberger, Post Com-
mander; E. B. Johnson, Senior Vice-Com-
mander; Thomas Thompson, Junior Vice-
Commander; William Johnson, Adjutant;
L. R. Whipple, Officer of the Day; John C.

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

Pierce, Cliaplain, and Yan Bureii Armour,

. Present officers: R. M. Stnrms, Post

Commander; E. B. Johnson, Vice-Com-
mander; L. R. Whipple, Adjutant; William
J. Ladd, Officer of the Day; William Morris,
Officer of the Guard ; Homer Lunger, Chap-
lain; Thomas Patrick, Quartermaster; David
Cummins, Surgeon.

The Sons of Veterans once organized here
and held a few meetings.

E%i<jene Council, No. J/., Sovereigns of In-
dustry, was organized in August, 1874, but
surrendered its charter a few months after-
ward. It had some thirty-five inembers.
John Grondyke was President, Joseph Mc-
Clellan, Vice-President, and Jesse Wallace,
Secretary. The work of the society was
mainly of an intellectual and social nature.

Eugene Lodge, No. 351, I. 0. G. T., was
organized January 24, 1873, and ran until
about 1884, since which time meetings have
been suspended. At one time it had as
many as seventy members. W. II. Hood
was the last elected cliief, and II. H. Ilosford,
lodge deputy. Tiie Good Templars had or-
ganized once or twice previously, and "ran
down."

The "red-ribbon" movement was intro-
duced here by Tyler Mason, and the "blue-
ribbon" organization by George McDonald.
Samuel Chambers, known as "Silvertop," a
tamous temperance organizer, reorganized the
blue-ribbon society, and James Dunn, an
old-time rouser, reorganized it again. In
February, 1886, a total abstinence society,
compose'd mainly of reformed drunkards,
was organized, with Captain W. S. Jewell as
President; L. R. Whipple, Vice-President;
J. E. Whipple, Secretary; Ben Lang, Treas-
urer, and David Iliggins, Sergeant-at-Arms.
From some cause, but no reason, the society
was dubbed the "Reformed Roosters."

The "woman's crusade" never struck Eu-

gene, but a Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was established here, of which Mrs.
AVhitlock was president. The organization
was effected by Mrs. Dr. Spotswood and
Mrs. Johnson, of Perrysville, but it was
suffered to go down.

There is no living temperance organization
now in Eugene.

THE CHURCUKS.

The Eugene Preshyterian Church was first
organized in 1826, when the first meetings
were held at the house of William Thomp-
son, a log cabin a little west of the depot, on
the Big Vermillion. The name at first was
the "River and County Vermillion Ciiurch,"
and comprised, April 29, 1826, Asa Palmer,
William Thompson, William Wilson, Ann
Wilson, William Armour, Ruhama Armour,
Eliza Rodman, Hannah Laughlin, Margaret
Caldwell, Mary West, Mavy Thompson, Lucy
Thompson (who afterward became the wife
of Samuel Grondyke, Sr.), and Susan
Wilson.

The first minister was Rev. James Hum-
mer, and other ministers who have since
served have been Revs. Baklridge, Kings-
berry, Cozad, Conklin, C. K. Thompson,
Venable, Crosby, Henry ]\[. Bacon and W.
Y. Allen, of Rockville. During Rev. Ba-
con's time, 1856-'59, the church grew to tlie
number of forty communicants, but from
that time to 1866 they were withoTit a regu-
lar supply. In 1867 Rev. Allen began
preaching for tliem once a month, and the
church has sustained services until the pres-
ent date. The present pastor is Rev. T. D.
Fyfte, of Roseville, who preaches here every
four weeks. The ruling elders have been
Asa Palmer, William T. Kelly, David Wills,
James Steele, Robert Kelly, A. J. Richard-
son, R. II. Ellis and Anthony Fable. Mr.

EUOENE TOWNSHIP.

Fable is the only incumbent of tliat office at
present.

Tlie present ineuibersliip is about tifty.
Sunday-school is maintained all the year,
with George L. Watson as superintendent.

The second place of meeting was a brick
dwelling, and the third is the present neat
frame church, 36 x 60 feet, erected in 1859,
in partnership with the Methodists, at a cost
of $3,000, and economically built. It is
located centrally in the village of Eugene.

The Ifount Olivet Cumherland Preshy-
tcrian Church is three and a lialf miles
southwest of Eugene.

Of the Ilefhodist Episcopal Church at

Eugene we cannot give so complete a history,
on account of its more changeful nature, the
old records not being kept and the old mem-
bers dead or moved away. Of course the
Methodists were early organized at this point,
as they generally are on the frontier. The
members number about fifty: twenty-seven
joined last winter. At this writing (June,
1887), there are no class-leaders: the steward
is E. McClellan. The society worships in
the church which it built in union with the
Presbyterians, just described.

At Cayuga the Methodists are about
to build a church, although they are not yet
organized at that point.

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, i m

^'^s^g/'' '^'^"^''^"'^^'"'^^^^'^ -^^'S^'^

jIIE time of arrival or
Ijirtli in this comity of
tlie pioneers is indicated
by the years at the liead
of the respective para-
graplis.
1822. — G. S. Hansicker,
born in Virginia in 1792, died
iboiit ten or twelve years ago.
son, H. C, was born in
this county in 1832. George
Ilicks, a soldier of the " Revo-
lutionary war" (one says), was
a pioneer here; but possibly
lis is a mistake for George
W. Ilicks, born in Massachusetts in 1795,
and died in 1878. His wife, nee Mary Cur-
tis, was born in 1803 and died in 1868.
Jacob Ilain, born in Pennsylvania in 1799, is
dead; his wife is still living.

1823. — David Goif. born in Connecticut

in 1799, remained a resident here until his
death, September 7, 1881. His brother Al-
mond died here about twenty years ago, and
his brother Brainard moved to La Porto
County, this State, where he died. His son
Philander, born in 1834, in this township, is
still a resident. Lemon Chenowith, who is
still living near Perrysville.

1824. — John Chenowith, settling on the
Waba-h, died in 1857. Lie was the father
of Lemon, just referred to, and also of Hiram,
an older son. Thomas Chenowith was a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention of
1850, and Isaac Chenowith was State Senator
lS44-'45. Isaac was born in Kentucky, in
1794, arrived here in March, 1825, and died
in April, 1856. William Chenowith, born
in Ohio in 1823, was brought here in 1832,
and is still a resident here. Solomon M.
Jones, born in East Tennessee, April 3,1812,
died March 15, 1887, leaving a family of ten

atOHLAND TOWNSHIP.

children. He was a soldier in the Black
ilawk war. John N. Jones, Sr., was horn
Septemher 10, 1809, came here in 18 — , was
a partner of J. F. Smith in milling and mer-
chandising for many years, and died June 25,
1874. YV^illiam Skinner, from Ohio, came
this year or previously, and died a few years
afterward. His son Norman was born in
Ohio in 1816, and died about six years ago,
and his son Henry was born in this county in
1825, and is still a resident. Thomas "Wright,
who is said to have brought the first hogs
into Yermillion County. One of his oxen
dying, he cailtivated his first crop of corn
with a single ox. Milton Wright, born here
in 1832, is living in this township, and
Stephen Wright is dead. Both these were
sons of Thomas.

1825. — John Fnltz, above Perrysville, died
many years ago. His sons wei-e John, An-
drew and William V., all deceased. Allen
Rodgers, from New HamjDshire, died in Iowa
or Wisconsin many years ago. J. M. Eodg-
ers, his son, born in New Hampshire in 1815,
died in the spring of 1887.

1826. — James Blair, who had settled before
this in Eugene Township, under which head
see a sketch of him. He died at Perrysville,
May 11, 1861, aged seventy-nine years, and
Sarah C, his wife, October 16, 1872, at the
age of seventy-three years. Robert I). Mof-
fatt, born in New Jersey in 1812, for many
years a merchant at Perrysville, at which
place he still resides, retired since 1874.
David Beauchamp, in range 10, had a large
family, and died about 1870-'75. John W.
Beauchamp, born in Ohio in 1821; Andrew,
his brother, born in 1828, in this county, is
living in Illinois. Hiram Shaw, born in Ohio
in 1805; E. G. Shaw, born in this county in
1830, an old resident.

1827. — Benjamin Whittenmyer, born in
Pennsylvania in 1799, died in 1879. His

son Henry is a resident. Parents of Harvey
Hunt, who was born in this State in 1820
and is a citizen here still. William Flesh-
man, deceased: his son Amos, still livino-
here, was born in Indiana in 1822.

1828. — Jonas Metzger, a soldier of the
war of 1812, from Ohio, died February 9,
1872, aged seventy-eight years. He settled
first in Eugene Township, and in Highland
Township in 1833. Constantine Hughs,
from Virginia, deceased; his son Ehud, born
in that State in 1817, is still living here, as
is also Calvin, born in the same State in
1826. Israel, William and John Hughes
were pioneers on Coal Branch.

1829. — AVilliam Nicholas, born in Virginia
in 1809, still living liere. Moses, Daniel
and Charles Bowman, from Virginia. Daniel
remained here until his death, and Charles
died in the West. J. S. Stutler, born in
Ohio in 1820, now deceased. Ezekiel San-
ders, born in Virginia in 1827, died July 10,
1875. He first settled in Eugene or Ver-
million Township, it is said.

1830.— Richard Sliute, father of Daniel,
John, Epraim, etc. Elisha N. Reynolds, born
in Maryland in 1804, died some years ago.
G. H. Reynolds, born in 1835, is a resident
here. John Tate, born in Ohio in 1807, still
living here. Thomas J. Mitchell, born in
Ohio in 1808, living in Perrysville. James
A. Prather, born in Xentucky in 1814, died
here within the last two years. Joseph
Briner, now living in Perrysville.

1831. — Herbert Ferguson, born in Virginia
September 15, 1799, died January 26, 1877;
Elizabeth B., his wife, was born January 17,
1813, and died May 27, 1884. William T.,
born in 1832, is their son. Ephraim Betzer,
from Ohio, came previous to 1831. Jacob
Betzer, born in Ohio in 1805, died four or
five years ago. Aaron Betzer went West.

1832. — Captain Andrew Dennis, a boatman,

born in New Jersey in 1801, died in Danville
a few years ago. John Hoobler, a United
Brethren minister, born in Pennsylvania in
1801, died in Illinois. William Trosper,
born in Kentncky in 1808, died in this town-
ship December 9, 1886. Nehemiah Cossey,
from Maryland, first to Parke County and in
1832 to this county; died long ago. His son
Peter, born in that State in 1812, is also
deceased. Fielding Pabourn, born in Ken-
tucky in 1815, died here a few years ago.
"William H. Carithers from Ohio, long since
deceased, was the father of Jonathan, Frank
and Henry, all of whom are living. William
Callihan, a potter by trade, from Ohio, moved
on to Danville; was father of Emanuel and
Simeon. M. B. Carter, present county
recorder, was born in this county in 1832.

1833.— J. F., Will P., Thomas H., G. H.
and David Smith, from Virginia, born 1812
-'20. G. H. died in 1879; the rest are still
living here. Thomas Gouty, this year or
previously, died Jane 10, 1863, aged sixty-
one years. Elias, his son, was born here in
1833. Henry Gouty may have settled in
this township a year or two later; he died in
1864, and his wife Rebecca died in 1874, at
the age of seven ty-tive years. David Gouty
is their son. John S. Kirkpatrick, a miller,
born in Kentucky in 1812, lived at Gessie
awhile, and moved to Danville, Illinois, where
he died. Norman Cade, died soon after
arrival. His son David has left the county,
and Henry still lives here. Jacob Givens,
born in Virginia in 1815, died here. James
Hanson, father of Smith Hanson.

1834. — Jacob Rudy, born in Switzerland
in 1818, died M'ithin a few years. Martin
Rudy, his father, died some years ago. James
Rndy is still a resident. Peter Switzer,
deceased. His son Wesley, boi'n in Ohio in
1821, is living.

1835.— Thomas Moore, who died in 1843;

was the father of Joseph and Washington.
T. H. Harrison, born in Virginia in 1810,
still living in this township.

1836.— John R. and George H. McNeill,
from Maryland, the former born in 1811 and
the latter in 1818. Lewis and John Butler,
from Ohio, the former born in 1813 and the
latter in 1816; Lewis is deceased and John is
living in Vermillion Township. Elijah
Roseberry, who died May 25, 1857, aged
fifty-one and a half years, and Catharine, his
wife, who died August 5, 1879, at the age of
sixty-nine and a half years. Thomas Cush-
man, born in New York in 1814, now a
resident of Newport. Has been auditor.

1837. — James J. Lewis, born in Maryland
in 1805; still living here. His son J. A.,
born in this State in 1835, died several yeais
ago; Joshua, another son, lives at Cayuga;
and Meredith resides in this township. Robert
J. Gessie, born in Cumberland County, Penn-
sylvania, in 1809, is still a resident here (see
sketch). Elhanau Stevens, born in Maryland
in 1816, is a resident. Price Cliezem, long
since deceased. Charles Chezem, born in
Indiana in 1827 has been long a resident.

1838.— Walter B. Moffatt born in this
State October 4, 1822, died August 14, 1882.
Horatio Talbert, long since deceased ; his son
Henry, born in Pennsylvania in 1816, died a
few years ago. Samuel Harris, born in
Virginia in 1819, moved to another section
of the country.

1839. — John Dunlap, deceased, born in
Ireland in 1809. Samuel Swingley and
Samuel Watt, from Ohio.

The following names we have, without the
date of settlement being given :

John N. Jones, long associated with J. F.
Smith in the milling and mercantile busi-
ness; Joseph Cheadle, father of Joseph B.,
present member of Congress, was born May
9, 1789, in one of the Eastern States, and

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP.

died in this township June 19, 1863; William
B. Palmer, who died eight or ten years ago;
William Ilutsonpiller, carpenter at Perrys-
ville who died many years ago; Daniel
Mossbei-ger, who also died many years ago;
Joseph and Elizabeth Howard, deceased;
John McFall; Archibald Billing, who died
April 16, 1870, at the age of lifty-two

years; his father died here, previous to 1833.
Mr. Thomas II. Smith remarks that there
are but three persons now keeping house in
Highland Township who were in tliat rela-
tion in 1833, when he came here, namely,
Mrs. Chestie Ilain, Adaline V. Jones and
Mrs. Glover.

!•

ERRYSVILLE was laid
out in 1826, by James
Blair, on a beautiful
elevation on the bank of
the "Wabash Eiver, and
named by him in hon-
'"'^ or of his commander
on Lake Erie during the war of
1812, Commodore O. H. Perry.
For a long time it was the most
populous town in the county, and
was an entrepot for a large section
of country to the north, west ajid
south of it. In commercial im-
portance it was for a number of
years far ahead even of Danville,
Illinois, a supremacy which was held until
the present system of railroads was projected.
Since then it has been a dead town, so dead
that its very quietness is striking. Even the
voice of children on summer evenings, so
common in villages elsewhere is scarcely to
be heard at their rollicking plays, and the
passing days are " one eternal Sabbath."
Grass and weeds have overgrown the streets,

and the lovely shade-trees continue to do
their sweetest duty.

Among the early business men here per-
haps J. F. Smith, T. II. Smith, J. N. Jones
and Robert D. Moli'att have been the most
conspicuous. The old warehouses and grist-
mill still used to some extent on the bank of
the river, were built and run for many years
by Smith & Jones, and are yet owned by the
senior partner, J. F. Smith, Mr. Jones having
died. The latter also built another grist-mill
at the wharf, ■which was burnt down. March
31, 1884, occurred perhaps the gi-eatest fire
that ever visited Perrysville, which entirely
consumed the three principal business houses,
fine brick structures, two stories high besides
basement, the property of the Smith Brothers.
The origin of the fire was from the roof of an
adjoining building. By this tire the Masonic
hall, with its records and paraphernalia, was
destroyed.

The Perrysville Woolen Mill was erected
in the western part of town a ycai- or two
after the war, by Riggs, Head & Co., who
furnished the machinery mainly from Coving-

PEBRTSVILLE.

ton, Indiana, where tliey had previously been
running a similar factory. The Perrysville
institution was run until 1881, with only
partial success. During the latter year, after
the mill had been standing idle a few montlis,
Jj. O. Carpenter purchased the building and
power, and converted it into a flonring-mill,
of two run of buhrs and a capacity of about
seventy or eighty barrels of flour per day of
twenty-four hours.

H. S. Comingore & Son's " Perrysville
Stove AVorks," in the southern part of the
village, is a modern, neat establishment, brick,
erected in June, 1884. It comprises two Ls,
the foundry being 25 x 110 feet in dimensions
and the flnishing room 25 x 84. This firm
started in business in Perrysville in 1858, in
a small frame building a little to the north-
west of tb.eir present place; it has recently
been torn down and removed.

A young, ambitions little institution is the
Perrysville Creamery, on the bank of the
river. Capacity of the works, about 2,000
pounds of butter per week. E. A. Lacey,
secretary of the company, is the superinten-
dent. J. F. Compton is president and
treasurer.

Perrysville has been an incorporated town.
The first municipal election was held January
15, 1881, when the following were elected
trustees: First Ward, William Collins; Second
Ward, Jolm R. McNeill; Third Ward, Samuel
Shaner. W. M. Benefiel was elected Clerk;
Rezin Metzger, Assessor; Lewis A. Morgan,
Treasurer; and Peter S. Moudy, Marshal.
Mr. Shaner was elected President. J. F.
Smith was the next president of the board.
Mr. Morgan resigned his ofiice as treasurer
and Mr. Benefiel was appointed in his place,
still retaining the clerkship. The third presi-
dent was Lewis Morgan, when John T. Lowe
was elected clerk and treasurer.

In the fall of 1884 the question whether

the corporate capacity of the place should be
continued was submitted to a vote of the
citizens, and was decided in the negative by
a small majority. Under the corporate gov-
ernment the streets were macadamized, the
poll tax for the village being kept within its
limits, and an additional tax raised. Also a
calaboose was built. A town board of educa-
tion managed the school affairs.

That fine, large brick school-house in the
southern part of town was erected in 1862,
when Thomas Cushman was trustee. In the
basement are three rooms, on the first floor
four, besides tlie hall, and on the second floor
four. The belfry tower contains also a room
thirty feet square. The school is graded, and
is taught by six or seven teachers. Enroll-
ment, about 170; average attendance, about
130 or 140. G. W. Dealand, who has been
the popular principal for the last four years,
was elected county superintendent of scliools
on the first Monday of June, 1887.

As before stated, the first newspaperprinted
in Vermillion County was the News-Letter^
at Eugene, in 1837, which continued but six
months. Mr. K. B. Dickason, of this i)lace,
woi-ked on the paper. The office was pur-
chased by J. H. Jones and moved to Perrys-
ville the same year, where he published the
Perrysville Banner. About two years after-
ward Clapp & Eoney had the paper, when it
was called the Vermillion Register. Nexl
it was the \^evrys,vi\\e Rej}uhlican, with Aus
tin Bishop as editor and proprietor. Then
Mr. Dickason published here the Perrysville
Eagle, 1852-'55, which he sold to Mr.
Ro'oinson, and he to Benjamin Snodgrass,
who finally let it die; and that was the last
of the newspaper business in Perrysville,
although several attempts to establish other
journals have been made. These papers were

394

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

generally independent in politics. The Reg-
ister or Banner was Democratic. The press
used was the one which was first brought into
Indiana in 1804, to Yincennes, whereon the
Western Sun was printed.

From the number of the Perrysville Ban-
ner for February 2, 1839, the Iloosier State
in 1875 copied the following items, all of
which will gather increasing interest as years
roll by:

J. K. Jones was editor and proprietor.
This is the twenty-fourth number of its issne.
It contains five columns to the page, and was
published at §2 per year if paid in advance;
otherwise §3. The number contains a large
amount of Congressional and Legislative
news of this State, and but very little origi-
nal or local matter.

Hiram Barnes, of Perrysville, advertises
for a " professional " man to take charge of
an ox team. Edmund James, a justice of the
peace of Helt Township, publishes an attach-
ment notice on the atiidavit of Silas Rhoades,
against the chattels of Simon and Martin
Gilbert. The name of Permelia Smith ap-
pears as administratrix of the estate of Dan-
iel Smith. George W. Palmer, J. P., notifies
the readers that Ephraim Driscol, of Highland
Township, had taken up an estray steer four
years old, which was appraised at $12 by
James Welch and Tom Lowers. James
Thompson, school commissioner of the
county, gives fair warning that he will sell
fifteen tracts of land for taxes if not paid
before the day of sale. S. & B. Turman no-
tify the people where they can procure cheap
dry goods, etc. "William "Whipps gives no-
tice of his appointment as administrator of the
estate of Thomas J. Heed, lately deceased. Per-
rin Kent also gives notice to the efi"ect that he
has taken out letters of administration on the
estate of John Taylor, late of Warren County,
deceased. The widow and heirs of Jacob

Parke give due notice that they will make
application to the next court to have com-
missioners appointed to assign and set ofl" the
widow's dower in the real estate of said dece-
dent. Dr. Waterman gives notice that the
partnership heretofore existing between him-
self and Dr. Small is dissolved. Crawford
& Jackson, proprietors of an oil mill, adver-
tise that they will give the highest price for
flax and hemp seed, or castor beans. George
W. Palmer offers a one-horse wagon and
harness for sale cheap for cash. J. W.
Downing, J. P., gives notice that an iron-
gray mare, taken up by James Rush, was
appraised by William P. Dole and A. M. II.
Robinson at §45 before him on the 24th day
of November, 1838. William Bales, sherift',
advertises the real estate of John Fosdick for
sale at public auction, to satisfy a judgment
in favor of Silas Kellough, William Dunning
and Isaiah Dill. Joshua Skidmore, of Clin-
ton, gives notice as follows: ""Whereas, my
wife Mary has left my bed and board without
just cause or provocation, I do hereby warn
all persons, body politic or coi'porate and of
whatsoever name or title, not to credit or
harbor her on my account, as I am deter-
mined not to pay any debts of her contract-
ing after this date, January 1, 1839." The
names of Durham Hood and Margaret Craft
appear as administrators of the estate of John
Craft, late of Eugene. Roseberry & Jewett,
dry goods merchants of Perrysville, occupy
about one-third of a column in enumerating
their large arrival of new goods. William
J. Nichols and James H. Cory, of Eugene,
inform the people where to get their saddles
and cheap harness. Dr. T. S. Davidson ten-
ders his professional services to the citizens
of Perrysville and adjoining country. Hall
& Gessie announce the reception of new
goods in a two-inch card. Jones & Smith
call attention in a four-inch card to their

PERRTSVILLE.

stock of fall and winter goods. Nathan Reed
and J. H. McNiitt request that those in-
debted to them for professional services come
forward and square up by cash or note imme-
diately. Jacob Riley informs the readei's
that he has found a silk handkerchief, sup-
posed to be worth |1.2o, which theownercan
have by paying for the advertisement. G.
W. Palmer, J. P., gives notice that John
Fultz has taken up two estray heifers, which
were appraised at §6 each by Samuel Lacy
and James Crawford, before him, December
15, 1838.

John S. Kirkpatrick flin»s the following
card to the breeze: " Now Look Out. The
undersigned, having sold his entire stock of
groceries, a circumstance follows which can-
not possibly be avoided, — that his accounts
must be closed; those knowing themselves to
be indebted will please make arrangements to
square the ' yards ' by note or ' plank up the
simon ' immediately." Miller & Seal warn
their delinquent custon:ers to look out for a
thunder gust, and say, " Money we must
have — peaceably if we can and forcibly if we
must." George W. Palmer, J. P., advertises
two estray cows taken up by Horatio Talbert,
of Highland Township, and appraised at $7
and §9 by Henry Green and Thomas Moore,
January 5, 1839.

Dr. Dinwiddle, said to be a surgeon of the
regular army, was the first physician located
at Perrysville. He left some time in the
'40s.

Dr. Thornton S. Davidson came about
1839, and died here aboiit 1851-'o2.

Dr. Reynolds was probably the next, who
left about 1850.

Dr. R. M. Waterman, after practicing here
awhile, moved to Eugene, where he started
the Neios-Letter, and then to Lodi, Fountain

County, where the postoiffice was named after
him, "Waterman ; served in the army, as Cap-
tain of Company A, Thirty-first (?) Indiana
Yolnnteer Infantry, and contracted a disease
from which he soon afterward died.

Dr. A. 1). Small, not a graduate, was in
partnership with Waterman and others,
became feeble with age, and finally died in
Milwaukee.

Dr. John Stuart Baxter, from Virginia,
was a good surgeon, in partnership with Dr.
Spotswood for a time, and died in Perrysville,
in 1853.

Dr. Dexter F. Leland, from some of the
Eastern States, arrived here about 1850, was
a partner of Dr. Spotswood, a physician of
gentlemanly manners, and died in three or
four years.

Dr. Lewis Clark came in 1854, was an
energetic man, practiced here three or four
years, and died in Kansas.

Dr. Lewis Frazee, eclectic, was born in
New Jersey in 1815, came to Perrysville in
1863, and died here December 20, 1881.
His first wife and all the nine children by her
died before him. Their son George M. began
practice here in 1870, and died in 1878.

Dr. J. M. Wilkerson arrived here about
1851 or '52, and left a few years afterward.
Dr. L. M. Meering came about the same
time, remaining only a year.

Dr. John Kemp, botanic, was here a few
years a long time ago.

Dr. J. M. Ballard, from Waveland, prac-
ticed here from 1857 until his death.

Dr. Joseph H. Olds came before the war,
and entered the army, whence he did not
return to this county. He was a physician
of considerable attainments.

Dr. Crooks, a young man in p-trtnership
with Dr. Clark for a period, moved to
Lebanon, where he died.

Dr. B. I. Poland, eclectic, from State Line

(a village), came to tliis place a lew years ago'
and two or three years afterward moved to
Dixon, Illinois. He was rather an oculist
and aurist. "Was a gentleman.

The present physicians of Perrysville are
Drs. E. T. Spotswood, James T. Henderson,
James Webb, J. W. Smith and D. B. John-
son. Dr. Johnson has been here since 1870.
Dr. Webb, eclectic, was brought up in Foun-
tain County. Dr. Smith is a graduate, has
been a resident of Perrysville a few years as
a practitioner, bnt is now traveling. For a
biography of Dr. Spotswood, see the index
for another page. Specimens of his poetry
are also given elsewhere in this volume.

SOCIETIES.

Unity Lodge, JSTo. lU, F. c6 A. If., at
Perrysville, was organized about 1850 or
before, and increased in time to thirty-four
members. The earliest record extant is
dated May, 1853, which gives as officers at
that time: A. Hill, Worshipful Master; J. S.
Baxter, Senior Warden; W. P. Johnson,
Junior Warden; E. D. Moifatt, Secretary;
G. H. McNeil], Treasurer; W. B. Moffatt,
Senior Deacon; James Starr, Junior Deacon;
and Andrew Dennis, Treasurer. The other
members were E. Brydon, A. C. Blue, John
Leech, James Benefiel, John L. Stoll, Harvey
Knapp, James Martin and Lewis L. Gebhart.
The charter was surrendered to Abel Sexton
in May, 1859.

Unity Lodge, No 3U, F. & A. M., was
chartered May 29, 1867, with the following
officers: W. B. Moffiitt, Worshipful Master;
James Hemphill, Senior Warden; Jacob S.
Stephens, Junior Warden; William Jerrauld,
Secretary; Ilobert E. Townsley, Treasurer;
H. M. Townsley, Senior Deacon; John Wolf,
Junior Deacon ; Thomas Scott,Ty]er. The pres-
ent membership is forty-six, and the officers:
Daniel Lyons, Worshipful Master; George E.

Hicks, Senior Warden; John B. McNeil,
Junior Warden; W. A. Keerns, Secretary;
W. A. Collins, Treasurer; John S. TileV,
Senior Deacon; Martin L. Wright, Junior
Deacon; D. W. Patterson and M. J. Eudy,
Stewards; W. P. Hargrave, Chaplain; and
Smith McCormick, Tyler.

Unity ChiX])teT, No. 50, 0. E. 8., at Ptr-
rysville, was instituted March 17, 1882, by
Willis D. Engle, District Deputy, from
Indianapolis, with fifteen members; and the
first officers were — Elizabeth Collins, Wor-
shipful Master; James Howard, Worshipful
Prelate; Mrs. Sophie Eudy, A. M.; and
Mrs. Helen B. Johnson, Secretary. Tiie
present officers are — Mrs. Helen B. John-
son, AVorshipful Master; Mr. M. J. Eudy,
Worshipful Prelate; Mrs. James Frazec.
A. M.; Miss Anna Eobinson, Secretary;
Mrs. Amanda Henderson, Treasurer; Mis3
Imo Collins, Conductres; and Mrs. Dora
Lyons, Assistant Conductresss. The present
membership is between thirty-five and forty,
and the chapter 'is in a good financial con-
dition. It meets the first Friday evening
after each full moon, in Masonic Hall.

Charity Lodge, No. 32, I. 0. 0. F., was
chartered April 20, 1846, by D. D. G. M.
George Brown. The first officers were Irad
Abdill, Noble Grand; Charles Boyles, Vice
Grand; T. S. Davidson, Secretary; Thomas
Cushman, Treasurer; John Dunlap, Warden;
C. N. Gray, Conductor; Samuel Watt, Guar-
dian; John A. Minshall, Eecording Secretary.
The present officers are — G. W. Dealand,
Noble Grand; W. G. Chenowlth, Vice Grand ;
C. W. Ayres, Eecording Secretary; J. T.
Chisler, Permanent Secretary; W.A.Collins,
Treasurer. Tliere are nineteen members, who
own the building in which their neat and
well equipped lodge room is contained. To-
tal value of all tlieir property, $1,318.60.
During the war the lodge was kept alive by

PERBT8VILLE.

live or six faithful members. Of the old
members, John Dnnlap died about two years
ago; Irad Abdill and William Callihan are
living in Danville. Of the charter members,
Thomas Cushman, of Newport, is the only
one living in the county.

Uiyhland Encampment, No. 163, was
instituted December 7, 1885, by D. D. G. P.
David McBeth, of Clinton. First officers —
W. M. Beneliel, Chief Priest; J. T. Chisler,
High Priest; C. W. Ayres, Senior Warden;
Alexander Yan Sickle, Junior Warden; D.
W. Patterson, Scribe; W. G. Chenowitli,
Treasurer. Present officers — J. T. Lowe,
Chief Priest; William G. Chenowith, High
Priest; D. W. Patterson, Senior Warden; W.
T. Conner, Junior Warden; W. M. Benefiel,
Scribe; W. A. Collins, Treasurer. There
were nine members at first, and there are nine
or ten at present.

Rehekah Lodge, No. 118, Daughters (or
Degree) of Eehekah, was instituted July 24,
1882. First officers: M. B. Carter, Noble
Grand; J. T. Chisler, Vice Grand; Sallie E.
Carter, Secretary; C. W. Ayres, Treasurer;
S. Watt, Guardian. The other charter mem-
bers were W. M. Benefiel, W. II. Benefiel,
Thomas D. Clarkson, J. H. Benton, W. A.
Collins, J. T. Lowe, Anna Benefiel, L. Chis-
ler, M. Benefiel, Susan L. Clarkson and R. E.
Watt. The present officers are: Imo Collins,
Noble Grand; Cora Chisler, Vice Grand;
Mary Ayres, Treasurer; Kittie Chisler, Secre-
tary; W. M. Benefiel, Warden. Tlje mem-
bership has been about thirty from the first
to the present.

Vermillion Lodge, No. 113, K. of P.,
was organized December 31, 1884, by Dis-
trict Deputy Talley, of Coal Creek, assisted
by members from various lodges. There were
sixteen charter members, and the first officers
were: Dr. James T. Henderson, Chancellor
Commander; F. S. Smith, Vice-Chancellor;

L. A. Morgan, Master of Finance; M. J.
Eudy, Master of Exchequer; D. H. Cade,
Keeper of Eecords and Seals; W. A. Collins,
Prelate; G. R. Hicks, Master at Arms; A. E.
Marlat, Inner Guard; E. A. Lacey, Outer
Guard. There are now twenty-six members,
comprising the best men of the community,
who are, in their lodge relations, in perfect
harmony. They have a lodge room of their
own, and are in fair financial condition.

The present officers are: J. C. Wright,
Past Commander; W. M. Collins, Chancellor
Commander; Ned Spotswood, Vice-Chancel-
lor; H. F. Eoyce, Prelate; M.J. Eudy, Mas-
ter of Finance; W. T. Ferguson, Master of
Exchequer; J. T. Henderson, Keeper of Eec-
ords and Seals; D. Mossbnrger, Master at
Arms; J. M. Howard, Inner Guard; Smith
McCormick, Outer Guard; W. A. Keerns,
District Deputy.

Richard E. Spotswood Post, No. 188,
G. A. R., was organized in January, 1878,
with the following officers : Major J. S. Stevens,
Post Commander; B. O. Carpenter, Senior
Vice-Commander; M. B. Carter, Junior Vice-
Commander; Dr. E. T. Spotswood, Adjutant.
The membership has diminished from thirty-
two to fifteen. Eegular meetings, alternate
Saturday evenings. B. O. Carpenter is the
present Commander, and George Watt, Senior
Vice-Commander.

The Woman^s Christian Temperance Union
of Perrysville was organized in December,
1881, with Mrs. Dr. Spotswood, President;
Mrs. H. B. Johnson, Vice-President; Mrs.
Sallie Carter, Secretary; Mrs. J. M. Mills,
Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. M. J. Eudy,
Treasurer. Commencing with a membership
of only ten, they soon increased to forty; but
now there are only twenty-five. To the pres-
ent time they have kept up gospel meetings,
and have exerted a marked influence in giving
the people a temperance education. For a

time they edited a column in the Hoosier
State. The present official board is the same
as the first, except that Mrs. Lydia Hepbnrn
is Recording Secretary, vice Mrs. Sallie Car-
ter, deceased.

An Equal Suffrage Club was organized at
Perrysville July 21, 1882, by the election of
Mrs. Sarah S. Spotswood, President; Rev. J.
S. White, Vice-President; Lillie Kirkpatrick,
Recording Secretary; Icabenda Hain, Treas-
urer; Executive Committee — Anna McClin-
tick, Honorable J. F. Compton, D. C. Smith,
Mrs. Lucy Maynard and Mrs. Sarah Smith.
The club "immediately went down."

CHURCHES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church has of
course an eventful history, extending back to
pioneer times, which is difficult to trace. At
present it is a strong and influential society
of 133 members, besides probationers. Class-
leaders, B. O. Carpenter and J. F. Compton;
stewards — David Smith, Mrs. Rebecca K.
McNeill, Mrs. Mary C. Moftatt, Mrs. Hannah
B. Johnson, Mrs. Sophia S. Rudy, B. O.
Carpenter, J. F. Compton and Mrs. Amanda
M. Ferguson. Rev. J. H. Mills is a local
preacher. Sunday-school all the year, with
an average attendance of seventy-five, super-
intended by B. O. Carpenter. In connection
with the church here are several auxiliary
societies, — missionary, social, etc. The house
of worship, built of brick, was erected in
1843, and its outside measurements are
44x52 feet. Value, .^3,000, though that
money would not build it now. Locality,
southwest-central part of town. A good
parsonage exists on the adjoining lot east.

Rev. W. P. Hargrave, the pastor since the
fall of 1884, is a son of the late celebrated
Rev. Richard Hargrave, so well known
throughout the State of Indiana as the trum-
pet-voiced Gabriel of the same church, in

which he was for many years a presiding
elder. He had the best voice for the pulpit,
and was probably the most eloquent of all in
the United States. He published a volume
of sermons, which passed through several
editions. He died in 1879, near Attica, this
State, and his wife, nee Nancy Porter, died in
1871. The subject of this sketch was born
in 1832, in Crawfordsville, Indiana; learned
harness-making; taught school; entered As-
bury University in 1849, graduating in 1854;
practiced law until 1880, when he joined the
Northwest Indiana Conference as a Methodist
minister. In the practice of law he enjoyed
great success, and during that time he was a
resident of Viucennes and Evansville. "While
at the latter place he was circuit judge for
six years and a half; was also prosecutor for
seven years. During the last war he volun-
teered his services as a soldier; was elected
Captain of Company G, Ninety-first Indiana
Volunteer Infantry; was on detached duty
during most of the time of his services, when
his official station was generally equivalent to
the rank of brigadier-general ; and toward the
close he was chief commissary of musters at
Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Hargrave was
married September 25, 1860, to Miss Martha
Erskine, a native of Vanderburgh County,
Indiana, who died October 18, 1886, in
Perrysville.

A Presbyterian Church was once organized
at Perrysville, and after struggling along
with a precarious existence for a number of
years, it became utterly dissolved, when it
counted about fifteen or sixteen members.
Their house of worship, which they bought of
the Universalists, became unsafe, and was
sold in 1882, for $150, and afterward torn
away. The trustees were D. C. Smith, John
E. Robinson and H. S. Collier. Mr. Smith
was also ruling elder. Pastors or supplies
were Revs. John Hawks, Mr. Steele, R.

PERRTSriLLE.

AVells, William Buffert, etc., and the last one
serving was Rev. Tarrauce, who was at the
time (1872-'73) a resident of Covington,
Indiana. There has been no regnlar preach-
ing since 1873, when there were twenty-one
members. There are now probably about
half a dozen members.

The United Brethren CJnirch at Perrys-
ville was organized many years ago. The
present membership is aboiit eighty. Class-
leader, John Patterson; stewards, Mrs. Sarah
Smith and Mrs. Rose Hain. Sunday-school
is maintained throughout the year, with an
attendance of sixty to seventy, superintended
by Rev. J. S. Brown, who has also been the
pastor of this circuit for the last three years.
lie is a native of Parke County, this State;
at the age of sixteen years he came to this
county and worked on a farm two miles
southwest of Newport; entered a school in
Ohio in the fall of 1881, graduating in the
spring of 1884, since which time he has held
his present relation, as a member of the
Upper Wabash Conference. He occupies the
parsonage at Perrysville, in an extremely
retired portion of the village, in the north-
western part, and has three or four appoint-
ments in his circuit.

The church edifice at Perrysville, a frame,

34x48 feet, erected twenty-five or thirty

years ago, is a neat building, centrally located.

At Perrysville also resides the presiding

elder. Rev. II. Ellwell.

The Cross-EoadsUnited Brethren Church,
two miles west of Perrysville, was organized
over forty years ago, and a large frame church
built also in early day. The membership
there numbers about seventy-five, of whom
the leader is Mrs. Sarah Park, and stewards,
Jacob Brown and Richard Spandau. Sunday-
school throughout the year, with an average
attendance of about eighty, superintended by
John Park.

Mound Chapel, United Brethren, 30 x 40
feet, erected ten or eleven years ago, is lo-
cated three miles and a half north of Perrys-
ville. The class, now comprising about forty
members, was organized eleven or twelve
years ago: leader, Mrs. Jane Mitchell; stew-
ard, Nathan Jacobs. Sunday-school during
the summer, of about fifty pupils probably,
superintended by the class-leader, Mrs.
Mitchell.

A " Christian''^ church, with about a half
dozen members, was organized at Perrysville
five or six years ago, by Elder Gilbert Lane
Harney, of Indianapolis, but they kept up
services only a few weeks. The leading mem-
bers were C. S. Brummett and wife, John
Emanuel Sinks, Sarah Bailey, Mrs. Ilettie
Lacey, and others.

The Universalist Church at Perrysville
was organized in 1842, and afterward erected
a house of worship, a frame about 36 x 50
feet in size, but, being unable to pay for it,
they finally, in 1850, sold it to the Presby-
terians, and subsequently disbanded. They
numbered as high as fifty or sixty members
at one time. Among the ministers are promi-
nently remembered Revs. E. Manford, the
celebrated editor, a resident of Terre Haute
at the time, B. F. Foster, of Indianapolis,
George McClure, of Dayton, Ohio, but an
itinerant, and Mr. Babcock, of some point
east of Indianapolis. The minister organiz-
incr the church was Rev. Marble, of Fountain
County, who preached once a month for about
a year. The leading members were Robert
J. Gessie (trustee and mortgagee!). Dr.
Thornton S. Davidson, Dr. Porter, Jlessrs.
Lawless, Watt, etc. They had a fioiirishing
Sunday-school.

GESSIE.

The village of Gessie, on the railroad three
miles northwest of Perrysville station, was

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

laid out in 1872 by Eobert J. Gessie and
named for liini. (See sketch of Mr. Gessie
elsewhere in this volume.) The population
of the village is now 140.

The business men of the place are, J. C.
Stutler, general store; L. A. McKnight, gen-
eral store and grain; D. M. Hughes, drugs
and groceries; John Cade, postmaster, drugs
and groceries; A. Van Sickle, blacksmith;
Silas Hughes, wagon and repair shop and
wood-work; C. L. Eandall, painter and job-
ber; John Haworth, station agent; David
Hughes, William Saltsgaver and David Metz-
ger, stock dealers; H. C. Smith & Co., pro-
prietors of tile factory. This mill was built
by Smith, Strausser & Stutler in 1884, who
made in one year about §6,000 worth of tile.
In 1885 tlie tirin name became H. C. Smith
i&Co.

Dr. William Isaiah Hall, who purchased
the first lot in Gessie and built the tirst house,
is still a practicing physician of the place.
Dr. James Barnes, who was for a time in
partnership with Dr. Hall, is also practicing
here.

The United Brethren Church at Gessie
was oi'ganized about 1879, by Rev. F. E.
Penny, of Danville, Illinois, wlio moved to
tills place the following year. The trustees
were L. A. McKnight, Charles Hay and Har-
vey Hughes; and Isaiah Thompson the class-
leader. There are now seventeen members;
class-leader, J. C. Stutler; stewards, J. C.
Stutler and Katie Goudy. The Sunday-school
is maintained most of the year, with an at-
tendance of forty pupils; superintendent,
John Haworth. The pastors have been Eovs.
J. A. Smith, of Gessie, J. Knowlea, of State
Line, Kaufman, of Perrysville, S. C. Zook,
who lived below Newport, J. li. Horner, who
lived here, and Van Allen, who lived a mile
south of Caynga. The church building wds
erected by the Christians, about 1877, a frame

24x40 feet, at a cost of $1,000, and in 1879
they sold it to the United Brethren.

The Union Sunday-school in Gessie is
maintained independently of denominational
supervision, and its existence of course
diminishes the attendance at the United
Brethren Sunday-school. It has been running
since January, 1887, and L. A. McKnight is
superintendent.

Hoicard Chaj^el., Methodist Einscojpal
Chxirch., two miles north of Gessie, is a brick
bnilding 30 x 50 feet or more in dimensions,
built over thirty years ago. The society has
been in existence since pioneer days. Tliere
are now about thirty members, with Joseph
Nichols as class-leader. Stewards, James J.
Lewis, Meredith Lewis, Henry Saltsgaver,
David Bennett and Dr. W. I. Hall. Mr.
Saltsgaver is also Sunday-school superinten-
dent. Pastor, Eev. Warren, of State Line,
where the parsonage is. Among the minis-
ters of tlie past the most prominent in mem-
ory are Revs. Cooley Hall (father of Dr.
Hall), Wilson Beckner, Samuel Beck, White-
field Hall, etc.

The chapel is named after Joseph Howard,
who donated the ground and led the enter-
prise of building the church, and was after-
ward trustee, etc. He resided there until
1866, and moved West, and finally died in
Nebraska. His wife has since died. Mr.
Howard was buried in Nebraska, although his
monument is in the graveyard here. None
of his people reside at present in this county.
On coming liere from Ohio, about 1825, he
settled on the farm now occupied by John
Fox; was very poor, a cooper and farmer by
occupation, but by economy he at length
became wealthy, maintaining all the while an
unsettled reputation.

A few years ago a portion of the above
society organized a small class in Gessie and
began the erection of a small church; bnt,

^ ^' ■ -■- ■ -^'''■'■'Vl'^^

■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■"a^a M n'M-^-^gJ

PERRYSVILLE. 301

before it was compIeteJ, it was blown down
and tlie little band returned to Howard
Chapel.

Hojiewell Baj^tist C7i2irc/<,iih-ame bnilding
abont two miles north of Gessie, is the place
of meeting of a society which was organized
many years ago by the Rabonrns. Among
tlie prominent early members were Wesley
and Keese Rabonrn, Fielden Rabonrn, Mr.
Blankensliip and others, and of the ministers
the most prominently remembered are Revs.
James Smith, John Orr, Mr. Whitlock, Mr.
Stipp and Samuel Johnson. Mr. Stipp was
a Freemason, and some of the] members of
the church, not believing that freemasonry
was consistent with Christianity, seceded,
under the leadership of Elder Johnson, so
that since that time two small societies are
weakly sustained at the same place of meet-
ing, called respectively the " Stippites " and
the " Johnsonites." Elder Stipp is now dead.

Elder Johnson came from Fountain County
in 1871, purchasing the old Joseph Howard
residence. Ehud Hughes, Philander Goff,
Samuel Johnson and Ephraira Sh\ite are
official members.

In 1877 Byron Stevens, a "Christian"
residing near Lowe Chapel, about three and a
half miles southwest of Gessie, with the
assistance of his friends built the church in
Gessie which two years afterward they sold
to the United Brethren, as before stated. He
was a minister, and he and James Prather
were trustees. They organized a small
church society at Gessie, which soon ran
down. Elder Myers preached regularly for
them for a time.

Rileysburg, formerly called Riley, is a
flag station two miles northwest of Gessie,
where there are a postoflice, a store and a tile-
mill.

i««««»-^»»»».

'■"■■■■■'iii^

'HE surviving old set-
tlers have from time to
time held reunions,
picnics, etc., refreshing
one another's memories
of pioneer experiences.
At the close of the 4th of
July celebration at Clinton in
l^Sl, an association, for the
purposes of nmtnal entertain-
ment and preservation of his-
tory, was organized by the
clectiDU of the following offi-
cers: James A. White, Sr.,
of Ilelt Township, President;
Decatur Downing, of Clinton,
Secretary; W. G. Crabb, of Clinton, Treas-
urer; A^ico- Presidents, for the respective
townships — John Hamilton, Clinton; Abel
Sexton, Vermillion; S. W. Malone, Eugeue;
and Pi. J. Gessie, Highland; and Executive
Committee — J. H. Pogart, John Wright and
P.P. Morey, of Clinton; William Wisliard,
of Helt; and George II. McNeill, of Perrys-

ville. This committee was given the author-
ity to call a meeting of the society, but it is
said that they never even met, for any pur-
pose, and thus the association died.

It happens, however, that the chief poet
of Vermillion County, Dr. E. T. Spotswood,
of Perrysville, knows how to celebrate pioneer
times, in true Hoosier dialect, and we here
insert two specimens from his happy mind.

The first was published in a newspaper of
an adjoining county, over the nom de j^Iwd^^
of '• Daniel Dundell."

THE nOOSIER HOEDOWN, OK BACKWOODS r)A^•CE
OF THE OLDEN TIME.

To the Edytur: Sur: These lines is
most respeckfullee dedykatuted to all uv the
yung fellers who run around here when the
Coal Prancli wuz small an' the water wuz
fust turned into the Wabash, — sich yung
chaps as John CoUett, Tom Cushman, O. P.
Davis, Abe Sexton, John W. Parrett, R. J.
Gessie, K. D. MofFatt, Lem Chenoweth,
Smith EalJj an' all uv the boys uv that crowd

303

who cnin tii this kentry when it wuz new an'
mostly in a state ov natur, an' likewise peple;
also thereof before it wuz so improved that
all natur is druv out uv it. In the good old
times, when workin wuz more respektable
than loafin', when steal in wuzent called
spekilaslmn, when honesty wuz konsidered
the best policy, when brass didn't count for
brains, an' cheek for moral principul, when
inuney wuzent alius the measure uv the man,
when sham and shoddy wuznt on top, an'
modest woi'th an' manhood on the under side
in the fite, but when brains, pluck, honesty
an" mussel wud win agin the world, — to these
yuug chaps uv olden time 1 dedykate the
poem, an' subscribe myself in the Coal Branch
Hollow, whar they will alius find the latch-
string out, a smokin' hot corn pone, a bowl
uv cold buttermilk, a clean gord in sparklin'
water, a rousin' hickory log fire, an a warm
wellcum from thar friend,

Daniel Dundell.
Coal Branch Hollow,

A'^orinillion Co., Indianny.

THE COAL BR.\NCH DANCE.

Down upon the Coal Branch, in the Indianny State,
Whar things go movin' slow along at the good old-
fashioned gait,
Thar men an' wimmen good belong, an' gals that ar

the sweetest,
An' boj's that's hansum, tutf an' strong, an' jes bilt up

the neatest, —
Whar the people all ar' sociable, an' thar aint no falls

pretenses
Dividin' uv the nabors up with pride an' folly's

fences, —
Whar work an' frolic, band in band, goes movia' on

like friends;
An' when one gits in trouble all to him their help

extends;
An' when a feller gits behind an' lags along the road,
You'll find 'em all together jined to help him lift his

load, —
That is to say, if he's " all squar," an' aint no ornery

That won't at workin' take his share, but goes from
bad to wuss,-

Then every nabor will turn out at any kind uv work.
An' help the chap, an' not a man among them all will

shirk.
They make a frolic uv their work, an' call in every

nabor.
An' wind it all up with a dance, to liten up thar labor.

Late in the fall when craps is ripe, an' the grass

around is wiltin'.
The gals they go a-slippin' round a gittin' up a-ciuiltin'.
An' the boys all round they understand
Will cum an' lend a helpin' hand.
In shuckin' corn or clearia' land ;
Then, when the corn is gathered in,
An safely stowed up in the bin.
The fodder piled up in the shock,
Enough to feed the winter stock, —
The quilt is tuck from out the frame, a-lookiu' new

and neat ;
It's stitched an' tacked an' herad an' sode an' finished
up complete.

Then, when the long day's work is dun,
An' night curas with the settin' sun.
An' all havo had a glorious treat.
At supper time, uv things to eat, —
Uv hog an' hominy, pork an' beans,
Uv corn an' cabbage an' sich greens, —
Uv nicnacks sweet which you will find
The wimmin have been mixin', —
Besides 'most every other kind

Uv first-rate chicken fixin', —
Jes now, when every one about

Is full uv fun all over.
Is when the Coal Branch blossoms out,
An' feels herself in clover.
From corn-cob pipes the old ones smokes,
An' chats and laffs an' cracks thar jokes,
An' smiles an' winks an' slyly pokes
Thar fun at the younger bashful fokes.

From bright tin cups their cider sips.

An' stands with hands upon thar hips,

A-lookin' pleased between thar nips,

To see thar sturdy boys an' gals so rapid growin',

Expectin soon that each thar own row will be hoein',

An' all the wliile with biznes eyes they are sum items

takin'.
Which shortly in the by an' by they'll use in sly match

makin'.
Then, when uv jucy punkin pie they all have eat a

lunchen,
Each feller hunts his pardner up an' steps out on his
punchen.
The gals are standin' round in rows,
Tricked out in spankin' calicoes.
All waitin' to be chosen.

Each feller in his blue-jeans close
Is lookin' round him as he goes
A-huntin', as we may suppose
Fur his own Mary Susan.

The fiddler cums 'an' with him brings

His pockets full uv iiddle-striugs,

An' in he cums a-saunterin' soon.

An' thrums the strings, — the sly old coon,

An' gives the notes a twang or two

Which sets a-pattin' every shoe,

A-timin' to the tune.
An' now the dance no longer lingers.
The fiddle's neck he tickles fast with niml

fingers.
An' quick as lightniu' to an' fro.
With all his might he swings the bow.

He draws it twice across the strings,
Which on the floor the dancers brings ;
He gives the bow another draw,
When they all call for the " Arkinsaw."
With a loud voice he yells the call,
" Honers ter yar pardners, all !"

An' then the fun gits goin'.
Thar's steppin' high an' steppin' low
As round an' round the dancers go,
Jes like it wuz a circus show

Whilst the music cums a-flowin'.

Sometimes they cut the pigin wing.
An' then they try the Highland Fling,
They jump an' slide an' skip an' hop,
A-gittin higher every pop.

It's a fact which 'taint no use deny in',

That soon from off that floor the splinters gits a-flyi
To the fiddle's time they music beat
With clatteria', patterin' busy feet,
As in an' out they wind an' wheel
Thro' old Virginia's lively reel.
Or, like the flyin' corn they husk.
They capper in the Money Musk,
Or Fisher's Hornpipe contra dance
With springin' steps they danglin' glance.
With ringin' laflT an' jestin' jeer, *

An' cheeks aglow with merry cheer.

The gals they giggle, lafT and smile
An' wud a very saint beguile.

Whilst round an' round a-spinnin'.
The boys ketch up the roarin' fun.
Each feller thinkin' he's the one, —

From ear to ear is grinnin'.
When bang! thar goes a fiddle string,
Which to an eend this set will bring.

With hankichers all drippin' wet.
The gals wipe off the surplus sweat,
A-fixin' fur another set

Which soon they'll have a-goin';
Whilst the boys, all tuckered out of wind.

Are a-settin' round a-blowin'.

If you are fond uv nat'ral ways, — uv old-time country

dancin'.
Cum out upon the Coal Branch an' see our gals an'

boys a-pranciu' ;
An' I'm sure that if you do
That you will larn a thing or two;
For yon will see with your own eyes
The human hart without disguise,
An' larn sum lessons if you're wise.
Which thro' life's journey you will prize;
That happiness an' sweet content
Ai'e oft with simplest pleasures blent;
That graspin' greed an' pride will bring
To akin' harts the keenest sting;
Whilst nature's plain an' simple ways
Will light with joy your sunset days.

The following was composed for, and read
at, the Independence celebration and old set-
tlers' reunion held July 4, 1887, at Newport:

FOURTH OF JULY POEM.

BV DR. E. T. SPOTSWOOD, OF PERRVSVILLE, INDIANA.

Old friends an' neighbors, howdy do 1 1 give'youhearty

greetin'.
An' welcome warm to all uv you to this Old Settlers'

meetin',
I think 'tis good to meet agin, an' peepin' through our

glasses.
Be tellin' how we used to do, when we wuz lads an

lassies.
An' since we hev together come, in love which never

tires.
With friendship's torch, we'll kindle up the long, long

smoulderin' flres
Uv memories that hev long grown dim; an' faded like

a dream.
From the shaddowy past we will recall an' make with

life to gleam.
Old Time, that cruel, heartless thief, whilst we hev

bin on duty.
Each year hez bin a robbin' us uv some bright line

uv beauty;
Fur our faces, all so bloomin' once, ar' now dried up

an' wrinkled.
An' our hair thet was so bonnie brown is now with

gray besprinkled ;

Our eyes tbet once wer' bright ez stars, hev now

grown dim an' hazy;
An' the dimples thet wuz on our cheeks hev faded

like the daisy.
Our limbs wer' strong an' active once, but now you

see it is
Thet they ar' weak an' tottery, an' stiff with rheu-

matiz;
But never mind, we ar' young agin, in heart, If not in

body ;
An' we'll jest hunt up a shady place wher' the grass

is green an' soddy.
An' set right down to spinnin' yarns, an' old stories

we'll untwine,
Uv how the old things used to be, in days o' Auld

Lang Syne.
Our hopes an' fears, our joys an' tears, an' old loves

we will recall.
An' jog each failing memory 'till we clearly bring

back all.
An' from the long forgotten past, old treasures we will

bring
Uv memories sweet of the " olden time " thet still

around us cling;
Frum the hazy mist uv vanished years, the hurried

past again appears.
An' the echoes uv long ago will break upon our listen-
ing ears,
While visions uv our early days like shadows throng

around us.
An' tighten up the loosening cords thet to the past hez

bound us,
An' then ouce more the magic spells, thet glided life's

young mornin'.
Will gently steal on every heart, an again bring back

the dawnin'.
As memory brings frum by-gone years on fancy's fly-
ing wings.
The sunny scenes uv the far-off time, frum whence

our rapture springs.

We boys an' gals uv other days our lives will now

live over.
An' dream agin uv the happy time when we wandered

through the clover.
An' over hills, through woodlands green, down shady

glens we strayed.
An' waded in the babblin' brook, an' in its waters

plaj'ed.

An' gathered flowers on the bank, an' in the grape-
vine swing.

We tossed our sweethearts high in the air, an' made
the grove to ring

With joyous laughter, free from care, an' spent the
live long day

305

'Till wearied out, with tired feet, we homeward wound

our way ;
When our days wer' bright ez the morning light an'

our futer hed no shadder.
To cast its darkness on our paths, an make our hearts

feel sadder ;
When the hours all blithe an' golden sped quickly in

ther flight
An' our hearts wer' filled with bounding hope an' the

onlook glowed with light;
When with truth an' dauntless courage our hearts

would overflow.
An' hope's bright rainbow spanned the sky an' bid us

forward go.

Our schoolmates uv the long ago, who 'neath the oak

tree's shade
Around the old log schoolhouse hev often with us

played,
Ar' scattered like the autumn leaves frum ocean's

shore to shore.
Some hev to fame an' fortune grown, an' in life's battle

sore
Some hev failed, while sirugglin' on, but brave their

part they bore.
But the many who wer with us then, hev left an' gone

before.
Today we'll call all back agin, once more be gals an'

boys,
An' try to feel as we did then, when filled with youth-
ful joys.
Our long forgotten jokes an' scrapes, we'll now tell on

each other,
Uutil the laughing tears run down, an' not a thing

we'll smother.
With the sweet old songs we used to sing
Once more we'll make these old woods ring.
An' show these .young folks settia' 'round thet the

music uv that day,
Wuz better than the German waltz, or furrin trills

that now they sing an' play.
The music thet we loved uv old, wuz the spinnin-

wheels' sweet hummin';
The flax-break's thud, as with steady beat all day it

kep a drummin' ;
The rattlin' uv the shuttle, to the loom-beam's meas-
ured thumpin'.
But on pianies an' organs they now grind music out

by poundin' an a pumpin'.
You will perhaps quite easy see, without any kind uv

trouble,
Thet the old way did'ent cost so much, hut wuz fur

more profitable.

O! ther' hez bin a mighty change; but I think 'twill
be confessed

306

msTonr of vermillion county.

That it liezent bin in every case, not alius for the best-
Don't you mind the old log schoolhouse wher' we

learned so many things,
As readzw^r, vi\-i\.ing, spelh'w? and other useful ingaf
All this is changed, an' fur the wuss, fur In ape-in

arter colleges,
They don't teach nuthin' very much, except what ends

in ologies;
They skip clean over common things an' don't seem

much inclined
To lay good, strong foundations for the trainin'.uv the

mind.
They try to teach too many things, an' ther teachin's

kinder scatterin' ;
An' that's the reason why you see we now hev so

much smatterin'.
'Tis true they make a mighty show, an' uv everything

they prattle ;
But 'lis not exactly what they need, in fitein' life's

stern battle.

An' so it is in other things. Jist see your politics:
The best men all must stand aside fur the tuflfest kind

uv bricks.
In by-gone days the people asked. Is he honest? Is he

capable?
But now the only question is, la the candidate available ?
Which simply means. Can the fellow win? an' if so is

he saleable?
We old folks can, I think, complain that among 'the

ugly things
Thet now exist, that this great land is run by rotten

rings ;

An' moral worth an' brilliant brains hev very little
chance

Agin the chap with a bank account, who makes a
large advance.

But we cannot mend these matters, — by frettin' ner

by howlin' ,
An' these young folks say we old folks keep an ever-

lastin' growlin' ;
So we'll jist quit an' let them try ; fur we hev had our

day.
We've fought our fight, we've made our marks, an'

we hev sed our say.
An' the evening shadows round us close, an' we must

soon away
An' leave these young folks on ther' guard to find a

better way.
It is a fact we ar' growin' old, 'an old Time, who

never lingers.
Will soon place on our beating hearts his cold an' icy

lingers;
An' then we'll strike our movin' tents, an' soon we'll

get our orders
To quickly take our line uv march beyond life's

changeful borders,
Where we'll tind another campin' ground, in a place

beyond the river;
Where all old settlers' meet agin, an' all shall camp

together.
In a camp where all ar' young agin, an' no ties we

there shall sever.
But to our names, when roll is called, we'll answer

Aye forever.
That meetin' will be comin' soon, an' if we but live

accordin',
T'will be the grandest meetin' yet, away beyond the

Jordin.

i ',

■ ■■■■■■■■■■»■■■■■■■■■■■';

BIOOBAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

fOIIN COLLETT (second), State Geolo-
gist, 1879-'84, is a resident of the old
homestead near Engene, though he spends
most of his time at Indianapolis. He was
born at Engene January 6, 1828, the eldest
Bon of Stephen S. and Sarah (Groenendyke)
CoUett. (A sketch of his parents is given
elsewhere in tliis volume). He was only fif-
teen years old when his father died, and upon
him devolved much of the care of his father's
estate of 5,000 acres, and also the interests
of his younger brothers and sisters, of whom
there were seven. In the discharge of these
duties he exhibited extraordinary ability, and
was also faithful in carrying out the policy
of his father. The most important feature of
this policy was good education for all his
children. The plans for this were success-
fully executed. Mr. Collett pursued his
higher studies at Wabash College, where he
graduated in 1847 with the degree of Bachelor
of Arts, and where five years later he received
the degree of Master of Arts. In 1S79 that
institution conferred upon him the additional
distinction of Doctor of Philosophy. For a
number of years after arriving at the age of

manhood his time was devoted to farming
and miscellaneous business connected with it;
and he also frequently had charge of impor-
tant estates. In these matters he was re-
markably shrewd, prompt and honest. He
never permitted his own private affairs to
interfere witli the responsibilities he had
undertaken for the interests of others; and
amid all these cares he also found time for
scientific studies, and participated in i)ul.)lic
affairs. His ability and integrity were both
so conspicuous that his fellow citizens recog-
nized these qualities in him, and sought op-
portunities to give testimonials to the fact by
honoring him with office. Accordingly, in
1870, he was elected to represent the counties
of Parke and Vermillion in the State Senate,
where he served through two regular sessions
and one called session. While a Senator he
originated the clause in the Baxter Bill which
has since become a part of the general law
of the State, ranking public drunkenness with
crime. Another of his propositions, which
has since been generally accepted, was, that
the owners and not the public, should be held
responsible for the live stock running at

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

ilL

large. He was prominent in advocating tlie
law providing for the construction of gravel
roads, under wliicli State gravel roads have
been made throughout Indiana; but he was
most forward in advocating compulsory edu-
cation, at a time when very few dared to favor
such a measure. Also, he rendered great
service to the cause of education by assisting
Hon. James D. Williams, then a Senator from
Knox County, and since Governor, to obtain
the passage of a law requiring that the sur-
plus bank funds be distributed among the
counties to be loaned at interest for the bene-
fit of common schools, instead of leaving it, as
before that was the case, only in charge of the
State officers to inure to their benefit ex-
clusively. Also, he saved from defeat the
bill providing for county superintendents of
schools, and he was the first to advocate the
establishment of a State home for the feeble-
minded. Mr. Collett was a "Whig in early
life, and became a Republican upon the or-
ganization of thatj^arty; but, notwithstanding
his zeal in the cause of Republicanism, he
was the choice of Governor Williams in 1879,
for the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics and
Geology, then just established. In assuming
the position, he found himself under the
necessity of devising the methods for gather-
ing statistics, and although embarrassed for
the M^ant of sufficient appropriations of money,
he succeeded in collecting much valuable in-
formation on a great variety of important
subjects. This was compiled in two volumes
of over 500 pages each, on a plan which has
not since been materially departed from.
While serving in this ofiice, his influence led
the State House Board to institute a series
of scientific tests, which resulted in perma-
nently establishing the superiority of Indiana
building stone over the other kinds that
before had been in use; and thus was devel-
oped in his State an industry which every year

brings great wealth to the people. But Mr.
Collett's greatest notoriety is as a scientist,
especially in the departments of Geology and
Palfeontology. When but eight years old he
displayed a remarkable aptitude in the collec-
tion and classification of geological specimens.
As he grew older his talents in these respect?
became so marked, that scientific men in all
parts of the United States opened correspond-
ence with him, and received great benefit
from his contributions to science. For the
last ten or fifteen years no man has been a
more enthusiastic and successful student of
the hidden treasures of the earth's crust in
this region; nor has any one furnished more
valuable or welcome information to the sci-
entific world. From 1870 to 1878, as As-
sistant State Geologist, he contributed nearly
1,000 condensed pages of matter concerning
the counties of Sullivan, Dubois, Warren,
Lawrence, Knox, Gibson, Brown, Vanderburg,
Owen, Montgomery, Clay, Putnam, Harri-
son and Crawford. While State Geologist,
1879-'84:, he compiled four volumes, aver-
aging over 500 pages each, on the Geology
and Palffiontology of Indiana, which have
become standard books of reference in all
parts of the civilized Avorld. These reports
embrace a large number of illustrations of
great value to students of science as Avell as
to miners. The report of 1883-'84 gave to
the public the first geological map of Indiana
ever published. Even when ajjpropriation
from the State funds fell short, Mr. Collett
advanced thousands of dollars from his own
purse to keep his assistants in the field and
his department steadily running; and for this
the State is still indebted to him. Since the
expiration of his term as State Geologist he
has been engaged in various literary and
business enterjjrises, which allow him rest and
quiet, and to make trips in difterent directions
across the continent. In all the positions he

BIOORAPIIICAL SKETOHEl-

luis held he has exhibited a remarkable ca-
pacity for excessive hard labor and endurance,
both mental and physical, often doing much
more than one would suppose was possible
for any man to do. In religion, Mr. CoUett
is a believer in Christianity, and his predi-
lections are in favor of the Presbyterian
church. In keeping with the instincts of the
family, he still maintains his residence at the
old homestead near Eugene, where his chief
enjoyment consists in agricultural pursuits
and scientiiic studies. In stature, he is six
feet two inches high, straight as a plumb-
line, and of a military bearing; his eyes are a
piercing gray; complexion fair; hair formerly
auburn, but both that and his beard are now
snow white and of patriarchal length ; mouth
wide, and of an aifable outline; nose indi-
cating a marked character; in motion, he is
quick and determined. In the prime of life
he could outwalk three ordinary men, and
hence have the advantage in rambling over
hill and dale in the examination of the earth
and collection of specimens. In walking, he
does not, as many do, keep his eyes just before
his toes, but cast forward at a great distance,
indicating energy and high ambition. .

.#.->

of Ver-

^^[LIAS PRITCHARD, auditor
^M, million County, Indiana, is serving his
"^^ second term, having been elected in the
fail of 1880, and again in 1884, his present
term expiring in 1888. He is a representa-
tive of one of the pioneer families of Ver-
million Countj'. His father, Ezekiel
Pritcliard, was a native of North Carolina,
removing thence when a yonng man to Penn-
sylvania, and from there to Ohio, where he
married Eleanor Watson, a native of Penn-
sylvania. About 1828 they moved to Indi-
ana and settled in Clinton Township,

Vermillion County, where he died July
12, 1838. He entered 120 acres of land
on section 5, township 14, range 9,
which he partially improved, building a
log house, setting out an orchard and
erecting necessary farm buildings. He was
a hard-working, honest and respected citizen,
and had many friends among the pioneers.
He left at his death a widow and fourteen
children, seven sons and seven daughters, all
of whom grew to maturity, and all but one
of the deceased left families. Those living
are — John, of Joliet, Illinois; Mrs. Elizabeth
Payton and Mrs. Maria Hill, of Clinton
Township; Mrs. Mary Cottrell, of Terre
Haute; Johnson, of California; Mrs. Martha
Curtis, of Edgar County, Illinois, and Elias.
Elias Pritcliard was born in Clinton Town-
ship, (Jctober 12, 1838, and has always been
identified with his native county. He was
reared a farmer, remaining on the farm until
twenty-four years of age, when he was em-
ployed as clerk in a dry goods store, and in
1870 engaged in business for himself at Bono,
which he continued until his election in 1880
to his present position. He is an efticient
public ofticer, fulfilling his duties conscien-
tiously and with painstaking care. Mr
Pritcliard married Miss Mary A. Patrick, of
Edgar County, Illinois, daughter of Samuel
and Maria (Nichols) Patrick. They have had
four children, of whom only one, a son, is
living— Ordie E., born April 18, 1879.
Their eldest, Ella M., died at the age of six-
teen years, and Grace and Blanche aged re-
spectively six and nine months. In politi
Mr. Pritcliard is a Republican, being the only
one of his family who votes that ticket. He
cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln in
1860, and has voted for every Repul)lican
nominee since, with the exception of 1864,
when he was absent from the State. He is
one of the prominent and substantial citizens

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

of Yermillion Comity, public-spirited and
influential in promoting all worthy enter-
prises.

-^>^

«P. POTTS, farmer and stock-raiser,
section 3, Vermillion Townsliip, is a
® native of Vermillion County, born
April 17, 1848, a son of Eicbard and Rebecca
(Jackson) Potts. His father was from Mon-
mouth County, New Jersey, and his mother
from Clermont County, Ohio. They came to
Veritiillion County in 1845, making this
their home the remainder of their lives. The
father died in 1875, aged seventy-four years,
and the mother in 1885, at about the same
age. The/ had two sons — Thomas, who is
now deceased, and our subject. C. P. Potts
was reared a farmer, an occupation he has
always followed successfully, and now has 680
acres of valuable land. In his stock-raising
he makes a specialty of cattle, and in his
herd are many valuable lireeds. He is one
of the enterprising farmers of his township,
and, although not yet forty years old, is one
of the substantial and prominent citizens of
the county. He was married in 1876 to Jo-
sephine Culley, a native of Vermillion
County, born in 1852, a daughter of Jolm
and Martha Culley. Mr. and Mrs. Potts
have two children — Clara B. and Joseph G.
Mr. Potts is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity. Lodge No. 209. In politics he casts
his suffrage with the Kejiublican party.

fAMES RUSH, a pioneer of Helt Town-
ship, resides on section 24. He was born
in Pickaway County, Ohio, IMarch 25,
1817, a son of George Hush, who came to
Indiana in 1818, and lived in Parke County

a year, and in 1819 moved to Vermillion
County, where he settled in the woods among
Indians and wild animals, and in this county
James was reared. One summer 500 Indians
were encamped near their house. They were
generally peaceable and gave the settlers but
little trouble. Mr. Push has always been a
farmer and has done a great deal to advance
the interests of agriculture in his township.
He was married February 23, 1854, to Dorcas
Andrews, daughter of James Andrews, who
came to Vermillion County from Butler
County, Ohio, in 1823, and settled on the
farm where Mr. Hush now lives, and where
Mrs. Push was born July 30, 1825. Mr.
and Mrs. Push have had five children; but
three are living — Fred, Mark and Mary E.
Mrs. Push is a member of the Presbyterian
church.

fOHN P. McNeill, of Perry svi lie, was
born in AVaterford, Loudoun County,
Virginia, February 25, 1811, a son of
John and Hannah (Mayne) McNeill. He
came to Vermillion County, Indiana, with his
father's family in 1836 and here he has since
made his home, a period of fifty-one years.
He was reared to the avocation of a farmer
which he made his life work, and in his
chosen work has met with excellent success.
Beginning life with no capital but health and
a determination to succeed he has by his
persevering energy and habits of industry be-
come classed among the most prosperous of
the many successful citizens of Highland
Township. Mr. McNeill has been twice
married. January 1, 1840, he married Miss
Martha Rudy, who was born in Pennsylvania,
a daughter of Martin Rudy, one of the county's
early settlers. Mrs. McNeill died May 15,
1848, leaving two children — Irene, born

BIOOBAPHIOAL SKETCHES.

October 23, 1846, uow the wife of The-
ophilus Holloway, of Yigo County, Indiana,
id Frank, born February 6, 1848, an artist
living in the city of New York. Mr. Mc-
Neill was married a second time to Mrs.
Elizabeth (liudy) Barger, a sister of his
first wife, and to this union were born seven
children, four sons and three daughters —
Scott, Albert, John B. and Charles G., and
Josephine, wife of F. A. Walker; Anna
Laura, wife of Thomas J. Armsrong, and
Jennie Lind living at home. In his relig-
ious belief Mr. McNeill inclines toward
Unitarianism, although he has a greater re-
spect for good deeds than for creeds. He has
been a student of religious literature the
greater part of his life and has found so many
conflcting theories that he long ago jlecided
to take reason for his guide. His motto is:
" Do not unto others that which you would
not have others do unto you." In politics he
was in early life a Whig, casting his first
■presidential vote for Henry Clay. He now
affiliates with the Eepublican party. Mr.
McNeill is one of the active and public
spirited citizens of Yermillion County, and
is ever ready to aid in the promotion of what-
ever enterprise he believes is for the best in-
terests of his fellow men.

fOHN WRIGHT, a worthy representative
of one of the earliest pioneer families of
_ Yermillion County, is a native of New
York State, born in Ontario County, March
22, 1818, a son of George and Anna (Handy)
Wright, the father born in the State of New
York, and the mother a native of Massachu-
setts. In 1819 they came to Indiana with
their family of nine children, the subject of
this sketch being then a babe. After one
year's residence in Terre Haute, they, in 1820,

came to Yermillion County, and in the forest
of Clinton Township established their future
home on Lenderman Creek, five miles south-
west of Clinton. The county at that time
was a wilderness, containing but few families,
being inhabited principally by Indians and
wild animals. George Wright was a poor
man, able only to secure a tract of 160 acres,
and most of his children were too young to
render any assistance in their struggle for a
livelihood. Labor in the pioneer settlement
commanded no money. There were no mills
in the country, and corn when raised had to
be pounded into meal in huge improvised
mortars. Gradually the opening in the
forest grew larger and the circumstances of
the family improved, and the boys, each year
added strength to the woi'king force! Two
children were added to the family in their
pioneer home. Mrs. Wright did not live to
see the fruition of her hopes, dying in 1827,
in her forty-first year. Mr. Wright was
spared to enjoy the fruits of his years of per-
severing toil, having a comfortable home.
He died in 1844 at the age of sixty-si.\ years.
He was a hard working man, full of energy
and ambition, and was kind and accommoda-
ting to all, and lie is still favorably remem-
bered by many of the old pioneers. Of his
eleven children, si.x sons and five daughters,
all have passed away but John, the subject of
this sketch, and Truman who lives in Edgar
County, Illinois. John Wright associates
his earliest recollections of life with events in
the pioneer days of Yermillion County. His
educational advantages were limited, but con-
tact with the world has enabled him to fully
overcome the deficiencies of his youthful
days. He was reared to the avocation of a
farmer, and he has made farming his princi-
pal occupation through life, though the past
si.x years he has lived retired from active life,
I in Clinton, where he owns a good residence,

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

and considerable city property, includin
about a half interest in the Opera House
block. Mr. Wright was united in marriage
October 6, 1836, to .Miss Margaret Nickle,
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, and
was a daughter of James Nickle, one of the
county's pioneer men. Of the six children
born to them but three are living — Lucius H.,
of Clinton Township, was a soldier in the
Eighteenth Indiana Infantry during the war;
Mrs. Narcissus Payn, of Clinton Township,
and John O., of Wichita, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs.
Wright were pioneers of Jackson County,
Iowa, locating there in 1838. One year later
they removed to Galena, Illinois, where Mrs.
Wright kept a boarding house two years, Mr.
AVright being engaged in smelting and haul-
ing lead ore. They then returned to Jackson
County, Iowa, where Mr. Wright followed
farming six years. Returning to Indiana
with a little capital, he purchased eighty acres
of land in Vigo County, and there resided
thi-ce years, when he removed to Edgar
County, Illinois, where his wife died. Mr.
Wright was subsequently married to Miss
•Mary Chunn, who was born in Clinton Town-
ship, Vermillion County, in 1827, a daughter
of John T. Chunn, who was a Major in the
war of 1812, in the Virginia Volunteers. To
this union six children were born, all of whom
are residing in Clinton Township or city.
They are as follows — David, Mrs. Margaret
Smith, a widow, Mrs. Naomi Hale, Mrs.
Maria Van Dyne, Ulysses G. and William C.
In 1858 Mr. Wright again returned to Ver-
million County, since which time he has been
a resident of Clinton Township, and during
this time he has witnessed the marvelous
growth and development of the county, in
which he has done las full share. On settling
in the county he bought 800 acres of land,
and by his good management he added to his
i-eal estate until he had 1,400 acres. He has

given his children a good start in life, and
yet owns about 700 acres, and all his proper-
ty has been acquired by fair and honorable
means. Mr. Wright is a member of the
Masonic fraternitj'. In politics he was in
early days a V/hig, an ardent supporter and
admirer of Henry Clay, and since the organi-
zation of the Republican party lias voted that
ticket.

■^-*.

fOHN McKEILL, deceased, formerly a
resident of Perrysville, was born in Tus-
carora Valley, Pennsylvania. After liv-
ing for a time in Loudoun County, Virginia,
and Frederick County, Maryland, he came, in
November, 1836, with his family to Perrys-
ville. While residing in Maryland he was
regarded as one of the foremost citizens of
Frederick County, filling many honorable
positions in society. For many years he was
justice of the peace, and so clear was his
head in legal matters, and so impartial his
judgments, that no appeal was ever taken
from his docket. He was an intense anti-
slavery man and an active member of the
Maryland Colonization Society, the object of
which organization was to colonize the colored
people in Liberia, Africa. He was once offered
the position of Probate Judge of Frederick
County by the Governor and Council, — a
life appointment, — but declined it, having
determined to move West. He was well
posted in Governmental matters. Was a
prominent and useful member of the Method-
ist Episcopal church, well informed as to her
policy and doctrines. After he came to
Perrysville he purchased a lot for a churcli
building, and was one of the leading spirits in
the enterprise of erecting the church. He
was united in marriage with Hannah Mayne,
and they had a large family of children noted

AlOQBAPmOAL SRBTCBas,

817

for their energy and industry. Mr. McNeiil's
father, John McNeill, emigrated from Scot-
land previous to the Eevolutionary war, in
whicli contest he Joined tlie patriot forces and
remained with tliein to the end. In one
engagement he was shot twice, and he bore his
ho!K>raljle scars to the grave. During his term
III' service he was promoted to the position of
ehief baggage-mastei". He had married Miss
-Me\'ey, a lady of Scotch decent, who had
eliai'ge of the family while he was in the
ai-iiiy.

^sON. GEORGE II. McNEILLof Perrys-
' I \ vilie, Indiana, son of John and Hannah
%;| (Mayne) McNeill, was born in Middle-
town Valley, Frederick County, Maryland,
February 22, 1818. His father was of Scotch
descent, and his mother of German descent.
His father was a prominent and highly
res])ected citizen of Frederick Coirnty, Mary-
land, and while residing in that county held
several offices of profit and honor. Born upon
a farm, the subject of this sketch had only
such opportunities as were oflTered in the
country schools, taught principally during
the winter seasons, and the use of a well
selected general library, owned by his father,
through which means he acquired a fair edu-
cation, and formed a taste for general reading,
whicli has followed him through life, and
enabled him to become well posted in many
branches of science and literature, ranking
him among the able self-made men of the
country. In the fall of 1836 he, with his
fatlier's family, emigrated to the then far west,
and located at Perrysville, on the Wabash
River, in Vermillion County, Indiana, where
his father died in 1843, and his mother in
1856, and where his only living brother, John
R. McNeill, now resides, his other brother.

Judge C. F. McNeill, having recently died.
To his honored parents, who were old style
Methodists, and were members of that church
almost from its first organization, the McNeill
family are greatly indebted for whatsoever is
good or honorable that may pertain to them.
Mr. McNeill has resided in Perrysville ever
since he came to this county and was always
actively engage in some business. When
young he read medicine extensively witii the
view of entering into its practice, but con-
cluded to go into the drug business and did
so in 1845 which he has continued up to the
present time and made it a decided success.
He has always kept a complete assortment,
and of the very best, and managed tiie busi-
ness witir_ such care, and so tlioroughly
trained his assistants, that during his forty-
two years in business, not a single accident
has occurred from putting out wrong articles.
In 1845 he married Rebecca Kinno}^ Beers,
one of a family remarkable for their natural
abilities, and noted as the best of cooks and
housekeepers. The result of tiii.s marriage
was three sons — Milton ]\[., William Kinney
and George H. Milton M. McNeill reside?
in tiie city of Danville, Illinois, is farming
largely, and doing a successful hard-wood
lumber business. He married Ruliama Rus-
sell Bell, daughter of Wm. M. Bell. William
K. McNeill remained with his parents aiding
in the home business and is now trustee of
Iligiiland Township. George H. McNeill,
Jr., died in his infancy. Mrs. McNeill took
charge of the drug business in 1850 and ran
it for ten years, managing it with ability,
training her sons to the business, learning
them habits of industry, and inculcating
principles of honor and morality as only a
mother can do. Her home is a model one
where hosts of people have been kindly
entertained. For fortj'-two years past she
has been an active member of the Methodist

Episcopal church in Perrysville. Mr. McNeill
has been county surveyor of Vermillion Coun-
ty, Indiana, was for a number of years, exam-
iner of school teachers for the coimty, and
has been a notary public continuously for
over a quarter of a century. He, under order
of court, has been a commissioner to divide
real estate among the heirs of deceased
persons often er tliau any person that has ever
i-esided in the county. He was also enrolling
officer for Highland Township, and always
had mucli to do with public affairs and filled
the various positions with credit and ability.
In addition to the drug business lie and his
son William K. McNeill are engaged in
farming and stock-raising on tlieir farms near
Perrysville. Mr. McNeill is a Republican
and has been an active member of that party
since its organization — is an unwavering be-
liever in the truths of the Bible and in ortho-
dox Christianity, as taught in the standard
authorities of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He was eminently loyal to the Government
during the rebellion, and never became dis-
pondent during its darkest days — expressing
Ills views as he often did "that the
Lord of Hosts was not dead and that the
Devil did not reign — therefore the Government
would finally triumph and the rebellion be
put down." Mr. McNeill is outspoken in
whatever views he may hold — is public
spirited, charitable, liberal and kindly disposed
but will not suffer his rights trampled upon.
At the age of nearly seventy years, does as
much work and pushes his business as
energetically as when young.

fAVID W. BELL, an active and enterpris-
ing business man, is a native of Ver-
million County, Indiana, born at Eugene,
Deccmlier 20, 1856, a son of Tliomas W.

Bell, of Eugene, who was one of the early
settlers here. David W. passed his boyhood
at Eugene, receiving his education in the
schools of this place. At the age of fourteen
he went on a farm, where he farmed for
three years. He went to Terre Haute in tlie
spring of 1876 and was tliere engaged in tlie
drug business until 1879, wlien he returned
to Eugene where lie has since been engaged
in the drug and general mercantile business.
He is associated with William W. Hosford,
and both being live business men, have
established a good trade which is steadily in-
creasing. Mr. Bell is the present accommo-
dating postmaster at Eugene, having been
appointed to this office in 1885, his commis-
sion bearing tlie date of April 27, 1885, and
signed by Grover Cleveland.

IgENJAMIN HARRISON, one of the
Wa% old and honored pioneers of Vermillion
^'" County, dates his birth February S,
1805, in Rockingham County, Virginia. His
parents, William and Molly Harrison, were
also natives of Rockingham County, his
father being one of the prominent men vl'
the county. He was also a Captain in tlie
war of 1812. The subject of this sketcli
grew to manhood in his native county, where
he was reared to agricultural pursuits, whieli
he made the principal avocation of his life.
His education was limited to a few months
attendance at the subscription schools of that
early day. In 1825 he accompanied his
parents to Ohio, they settling in Gallia
County, but the following year he returned
to Virginia, and was married in his native
county to Miss Jane A. Bright, January 3,
1827. They were reared in the same neigh-
borhood, and were playmates in early life.
Siie was born in Rockingham County, tlie

iH55MSH5SS

BIOORAPHICAL 8EBTCBEB.

date of her birth being January 19, 1806.
Tliirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Harrison, of whom seven are living at the
l)i-esent time — Mrs. Abbie Davidson, born in
Virginia; Eobert, also a native of Virginia;
Mile; Calvin; Charlotte, living with her
lather; Franklin and Joseph. The remain-
ing children died in early childhood, with the
exception of Alexander, who died in 1876 at
the age of thirty-seven years. Mr. Harrison
continued to reside in Ilockingham County
until October, 1832, when he came with his
family to Vermillion County, and made his
jiioneer home on Brouillet's Creek, where he
bought a tract of 320 acres. After clearing
some fifteen or twenty acres of this land he
sold it, and in 1837 he removed to his pres-
ent farm on section 19, Clinton Township,
where he now owns about 500 acres of land,
200 acres being bottom land, and imexcelled
in the county. April 2, 1887, he was bereaved
by the death of his wife, who had shared
with him the joys and sorrows of life for
over sixty years. Mr. Harrison was reared a
Democrat, but at the time of the Rebellion
he stood firmly by the administration of
President Lincoln, and since then has been
one of the active Republicans of Vermillion
County. Perhaps no man in Indiana has
filled successively the office of magistrate as
long as the subject of this sketch — a period
of thirty-eight years. In 1842 he was elected
justice of the peace, holding that office until
1880, when, on account of his advanced age,
he refused a re-election. During his term of
office he proved an efficient officer, and his
decisions M'ere always wise and just. One
fact in his official career speaks well for his
wise judgment, that not two cases decided by
him were appealed to the higher courts.
During his long residence in the county he
has gained the confidence and respect of the
entire community, and made many warm

friends. Particularly is he loved and honored
by his children, who have all settled around
the old home.

fECATUR DOAVNING, of Clinton, is
one of the representative men of Ver-
million County. He was born in Clin-
ton, Indiana, January 23, 1836, a son of
Jonathan Downing, who was born in the State
of Maryland June 12, 1806, and a grandson
of William Downing, who settled near
Columbus, Ohio, moved to Clinton, Indiana,
in 1818, and died here March 7, 1822, aged
forty-six years, his widow surviving until
March 27, 1842. Jonathan Downing passed
his youth principally in Ohio. In 1820, two
years before the death of his father, he came
to Clinton, Indiana, then strong, amljitious
and of good habits, and sought employment
among the pioneer farmers, but shortly after
i-eaching manhood he commenced an active
business career. In the employment of
others as clerk he gained experience, and be-
came the business partner of B. R. Whit-
comb, in Sullivan County, and later he
established himself in the grocery trade at
Clinton. Some years later he was elected
magistrate, and served efiiciently in that
capacity, to the entire satisfaction of his con-
stituents. In 1846 he removed to Newport,
Vermillion County, where for a short time he
kept a hotel, and also bought and shipped
produce to New Orleans and other points. In
1848 he returned to Clinton, where he died
in 1849. His widow, Mrs. Eliza (Hiatt)
Downing, still survives, and makes her home
with her son Decatur Downing, the subject
of this sketch. She was born at Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, September 6, 1815, a daughter
of Robert Payton, who with his family moved
to Kentucky when Mrs. Downing was quite

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COVNTT.

yonng, and died at Covington not long after-
ward. Mrs. Payton with her iive children,
of whom Mrs. Downing was the eldest, in
1827 moved to YeriTiillion County, where all
died with the exception of Mrs. Downing and
Mrs. Margaret Mitcliell, of Clinton. The
mother was again married to James Booher,
who died in 1845. She died in February,
1849, aged fifty-iive years. The two children
born to her second marriage are deceased.
Mrs. Downing was first married December
20, 1829, to Thomas J. Hiatt, who died
March 3, 1834. She married Jonathan
Downing December 20, 1884. Jonathan Mas
twice married, taking for his first wife Miss
E^e Hammond, who died October 23, 1828.
She left at her death two children whose
names are Mrs. Delilah Doty, now living in
Madison County, and Mrs. Perie Charlton,
who died at Tuscola, Illinois. Decatur Down-
ing, whose name heads this sketch, has been
all his life identified with Vermillion County,
and has always taken an active interest in
promoting any enterprise which tends to-
ward its advancement. His educational ad-
vantages were limited to the common schools
of the county, and of these he made good
use, and in the broadest sense he may be
called a self-made man. But thirteen years
old when his father died lie was taken into
the home of John Payton, his maternal uncle,
with whom lie remained as an employe in his
M-arehouse and mercantile establishment,
until twenty-two years of age, and during
this time he laid the Ibundation of his suc-
cessful business career. When twenty-two
years old he became a partner in his uncle's
business at Toronto, Vermillion County,
which business relation existed until 1873.
Mr. Downing was married October 18, 1860,
to Miss Matilda Eichardson, who was born
in Clinton Township, Vermillion County,
March 7. 1842, a daughter of William A.

Richardson. She died at Toronto November
30, 1873. Clearing his business relations
with his uncle, Mr. Downing with his only
surviving child, Sarah Eliza, who was born
August 29, 1861, again established his resi-
dence in Clinton. He has lost two children:
Frank, who died October 9, 1865, aged over
three years, and Blanche, who died July 24,
1869, aged six months and thirteen days.
Since returning to Clinton Mr. Downing has
been one of the active business men of the
place. In 1875 he became senior member of
the firm of Downing & Nelson, dealers in
produce and agricultural implements. In
1876 the firm was changed to Downing A:
Hamilton, erecting a large warehouse to ac-
commodate their increased trade. This firm
continued until 1887, when Mr, Downing re-
tired from the business. September 21, 188G,
he married for his second wife Mrs. Saiah
Sophia. (J aques) Ilaselett, a daughter of John
and Mary (Vannest) Jaques, and a grand-
daughter of John Vannest, the first settler of
Vermillion County. She was born near the
pioneer home of her grandfather in Clinton
Township, March 9, 1844. She was first
married toAVilliam J. Haselett, who was born
in Putnam County, Indiana, July 15, 1843,
and to this union were born four children —
Mallie B., Edith L., William J. and Emma
G., the third child, who died aged two years.
Besides his fine residence and other property
in Clinton Mr. Downing owns three tarms in
Clinton Township aggregating 570 acres. In
politics he was identified witli the Republican
party from its organization until within the
past few years. In 1886 he was the candi-
date on the National Labor Reiorm party and
endorsed by the Republican party for elec-
tion to the Indiana General Assembly in his
district comprising Sullivan, Vigo and Ver-
million counties, and although having a plu-
rality of 1,200 votes to overcome was defeated

SiOOHAPBICAL SKi!TCM'B.

only by thirty votes, wliicli shows the esteem
in which he is held among the men whom
he has lived so long. He has served as com-
missioner of Vermillion County several years
with honor to himself and to the satisfaction
of his constituents.

irOMAS CUSIIMAN, depntj treasurer
of Vermillion County, is one of the
veteran officials of the county. He is
a pioneer of the county, locating in Perrys-
ville in January, 1836, where he resided until
1872, when he was elected auditor of the
county, and moved to Newport, where he has
since lived. He was born in Onondaga
County, New York, October 15, 1814. His
father, Seth.Cnshman, was born in the State
of New York and was a direct descendant of
Robert Cushman who came to America in the
Mayflower in 1620. He was reared in his
native State and there married Nancy Eun-
yau, a native of the same State, of English
descent, her parents belonging to a prominent
family in New England who later settled in
New York. In the spring of 1818 Seth
Cushman moved with his family to Sullivan
County, Indiana. Immigrating West seventy
years ago was a slow and tedious undertaking.
Several fan)ilies accompanied Mr. Cushman,
the party going by ox team to Olean, New
York, when they constructed a flat-boat and
floated down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers
to Evans ville. Here they separated, each
family going its own way. Mr. Cushman,
bought a team at Evansville and went north
to Princeton, where he spent the winter. The
following spring he went to Sullivan County,
and pre-empted forty acres of land which he
began to improve. His family at that time
consisted of eight children, their ages ranging
from two to twenty years. Mr. Cushman

did not live long to see his pioneer home
develop and the country around it become
improved. From the effect of exposure and
the malarial character of the country he con-
tracted disease which resulted in his death in
the spring of 1821. He was reared a Quaker,
and possessed that high moral and religious
nature, characteristic of that sect. Honest
and upright in all his dealings, he and his wife
were worthy representatives of that brave
pioneer element that is fast jmssing away.
After the death of the father the family
remained together and the boys continued the
improvement of the farm and also added to
it. In 1829, when fifteen years of acre,
Thomas went to Vincennes and obtained
employment in the store of Tomlinson &
Eoss, where he remained five years. He
then went to Perrysville, and engaged in
general merchandising with George Uishop
and E. D. Moff'att. In 1841 Mr. Eishop
withdrew and the firm of Mofl^att & Cushman
continued until Mr. Cushman's removal to
Newport in 1872. Mr. Cushman was married
in Perrysville, in 1847, to Susan E. Firth, a
native of Kentucky, where her parents died
when she was a child and she and a sister
afterward had a home with Elijah Eoseberry
and with him came to Vermillion County in
1844. Mrs. Cushman died in March, 1859,
leaving five children, only one of whom is
living — William J., now of Danville, Illinois.
In 1862 Mr. Cushman married Mary A.
Baxter, widow of Dr. John S. Baxter. She
died in July, 1883, leaving a daughter,
Carrie Glauton, now the wife of AYilliam L.
Galloway, of Wichita, Kansas. Mr. Cush-
man began life poor and whatever success he
has gained has been due to his own cft'orts.
In early life he was a Whig, but since its
organization has been allied to the Ecjiublican
party. His first presidential vote was cast
for General Harrison in 1840. There never

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

having been a society of FrienJs formed in
Newport, Mr. Cuslunan has cast his lot
with the Methodists.

fAMES A. ELDER, section 3, Ilelt Town-
ship, is a native of Brown Countj, Ohio,
Lorn October 2, 1822, a son of Samuel
and Marj (McCane) Elder, his father a native
of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and
his motlier of Ireland. His grandfather,
Samuel Elder, was a native of Ireland, and
came to America soon after his marriage.
Samuel Elder, Jr., left his native State in
1816, and moved to Brown County, Ohio,
where he lived until 1832, when he moved
to Yermillion County, Indiana, and settled
in Ilelt Township, where his wife died in
1852. In the summer of 1869 he went to
New York to visit friends, and died there
July 6, of that year. James A. Elder was
reared on a farm in Vermillion County, and
was educated in the log cabin schools. He
has always devoted his attention to farming,
and has been, as a result of economy and
good management, successful, and now owns
a ilne farm of 423 acres where he resides,
and also 143 acres in Edgar County, Illinois.
He makes a specialty of stock-raising, and
has some very line graded varieties of both
cattle and hogs. He takes pride in having
his farm and stock equal to any in the
county, and devotes his entire attention to
improving his property. He takes an inter-
est in the material welfare of the county, but
prefers to leave the duties devolving on an
officeholder to those who have such asjnra-
tions, his time being taken up with his own
private business, although he has servfed
three years on the board of county commis-
sioners. Mr. Elder was married April 1,
1852, to Euphamia Slieely, daughter of George

Sheely. She died the following August, and
January 18, 1855, Mr. Elder married Mary,
daughter of James Morgan. To them were
born two children — George and Harriet.
George married Mattie Tem])le, and is living
in Ilelt Township; Harriet is the wife of
Oscar Gibson, of Newport. IMrs. Elder died
November 10, 1862. March 26, 1864, ISIr.
Elder married Mrs. Julia A. Fisher, daughter
of Eichard Dicken, who died December 13,
1875, leaving two children — Clara A., wife
of Fisher McHoberts, and Samuel. February
1, 1877, Mr. Elder married Susan R., daugh-
ter of Adna Beach. He and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian church.

^^LDRIDGE HARLAN, farmer and stock-
°\rfli raiser, section 17, Vermillion Township,
^^ is a native of Vermillion County, born
November 30, 1840, a son of Cornelius C.
and Martha (Tate) Harlan, natives of Tenn-
essee, of English descent. His paternal an-
cestors came to America in an early day, four
brothers coming together, two of them set-
tling in Tennessee, one in North Carolina,
and one in Kentucky. After his marriage,
Cornelius Harlan came to Indiana and bought
200 acres of land in Vermillion County, and
on this farm our subject was reared and early
learned the lessons that have been of benefit
to him since he commenced life for himself.
When he started for himself he had $180,
and from this beginning he has kept on until
he is now one of the prosperous farmers of
the township. His homestead contains 170
acres of valuable land, and his residence and
farm buildings are comfortable and commodi-
ous. He has made a specialty of dealing in
and raising stock, and has made a success of
this enterprise. When his father located on
his farm it was a tract of wild laml, and the

improvements have all been made by him,
and in all his labor he has been ably assisted
by his estimable wife. Mr. Harlan was mar-
ried in 1864, to Matilda Merriman, who was
born in Vermillion Connty in 1838, a daugh-
ter of Manson P. and Anna (Campbell) Mer-
riman. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have fonr
fhildren — Lanra, Calla, Thomas C. and Josie
15. Their two eldest daughters have taught
several terms in this and Vigo counties, and
are both successful and popular teachers. Tlie
eldest daughter, Laura, will graduate in the
State Normal in 1888. Mr. Harlan is a
member of the Masonic fraternity. Lodge No.
209. In politics he is a Democrat.

►^H

fOIlN BRINDLEY, farmer and stock-
raiser, section 1), Vermillion Township,
was born in Harrison County, Indiana,
January 4, 1825, a son of George and Sarah
(Blunk) Brindley, natives of Kentucky, of
German descent, the fether born June 20,
1800, died in 1878, and the mother born
in 1806, died March 3, 1867. The parents
came with their family to Vermillion Coi;nty
in 1828, and lived here the rest of their
lives. They had a family of thirteen chil-
dren, six of whom are living — Margaret, wife
of Eev. Joshua Rogers, of Decatur; John;
Andrew, of Perrysville; Eli, George, and
Susanna, wife of Edward Brown. They were
members of the United Brethren church, and
were held in high esteem by all the old set-
tlers who shared with them the hardships
and pleasures of pioneer life. John Brindley
was reared in Vermillion Township, and now
owns 129 acres of its best land. AVlien he
started in life for himself he was without
means but by habits of industry he has ac-
quired a good property. He was married
September 3, 1846, to Sarah, daughter of

John and Julia A.(Breimer) Luellen, natives
of Pennsylvania, of Welsh and German de-
scent. Mr. and Mrs. Brindley have had five
children, three of whom are living — Francis
L. married Emma J. Eeeder, and has three
children — Morris A., Eva A. and Lucy B.,
Thomas E. married Charity Ratliff; Alonzo
married Lucy Merriman, and lives on the
liome farm. In politics Mr. Brindley is a
Democrat.

_ m . ,^ fT ^^ ^

r^T jr KLVILLE B. CARTER, a prominent
'. I, \/.\- '^■'•izen of Newport, was born and
^|¥i^ reared in Highland Township, Ver-
million Connty, a son of Absalom and Sid-
ney (Chenoweth) Carter, who were among the
pioneers of Vermillion County, coming from
Ohio, their native State, in an early day. The
father was a man of much intelligence, and
became one of the leading men in the early
history of the county. He taught school at
Perrysville, this county, for many years, and
also held the position of justice of the peace,
for some time. He subsequently removed to
Baltimore, Warren County, Indiana, where
he lived a considerable time, but finally re-
turned to Perrysville, where he died, when
the subject of the sketch was a boy. His
wife was a daughter of John Chenoweth, an
early settler of Highland Township. She
died in Perrysville in 1881. They were the
parents of two children — Sylvanus, who was
a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, a mem-
ber of Company K, Sixth Indiana Cavalry,
and died at Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1863;
and Melville B., the subject of this sketch.
Melville B. Carter was also a soldier in the
late war, enlisting in 18G1 in Company B,
Eleventh Indiana Infantry, and was in active
service over four years. He was at the bat-
tle of Fort Donelsnn, and at the battle of

I —

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

Shiloh under General Lew Wallace, and also
took part in the battle of Champion Hills
and siege of Vicksburg. He was then trans-
ferred east, and participated in the engage-
ments at Winchester and Cedar Creek. He
was mustered out of the service in August,
1865, having escaped without wounds, but
returning home with his health somewhat
impaired. Mr. Carter Avas united in marriage
to Miss Fanny ]\Ioftalt, a daughter of AYalter
B. Moffatt, of Perrjsville. She died in 1869,
leaving at her death a daughter named
Grace. After the war Mr. Carter engaged in
farming in Highland Township, which he
followed successfully until 1886. In the fall
of that year he was elected, on the llepubli-
can ticket, recorder of Vermillion County,
as successor to C. S. Davis, who had tilled
the oftice about nine year.s. Since assuming
the duties of the office Mr. Carter has given
entire satisfaction, making an efficient and
popular county officer.

fRANCIS M. BISHOP of Clinton, was
born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, De-
cember 27, 1833, but since boyhood his
life has been spent in Indiana, and since
1852 at Clinton. His father, Iliram Bishop,
was born at Manchester, Connecticut, and
early in life he was left an orphan. He was
then adopted by Mr. Uriah Childs, and while
in his teens was thrown upon his own re-
sources. He learned the carpenter's trade
wliicli he followed until M'ithin a few years
of his death. He was married November
25, 1830, in Connecticut, to Miss Sabrina
Chapman, and several children were born to
them, among whom was Edwin C, who was
killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia,
while bravely carrying the colors of his regi-
ment, the Eigiiteenth Indiana Volunteers;

Mrs. Sarah Vanuest, who died at home in
1868, leaving one son named Edwin; and
Francis Marion, the subject of this sketch.
Iliram Bishop came with his family to Clin-
ton, Vermillion County, in 1852, to construct
the wagon bridge across the Wabasli, which
still stands as a monument to the mechanical
skill of an early day. He purchased prop-
erty in Clinton, and became a permanent
citizen. He was an active, enterprising man,
and did much toward building up the town,
erecting a number of residences and public
buildings. He was a member of the Odd
Fellows order. He was a consistent Christian,
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He was a man of strong convictions,
and great moral courage, and was among the
few who early, fearlessly and openly espoused
the cause of abolition, and waged war upon
slavery. He died at his home in Clinton,
March 12, 1875. His widow, Mrs. Sabrina
Bishop, was born at Asliford, Connecticut,
July 1, 1810, inheriting a strong New Eng-
land constitution which has carried her
through the many vicissitudes of life for
seventy-seven years. Slie is still actively en-
gaged in business at Clinton. She is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
is highly esteemed by all who know her.
Francis M. Bishop, whose name heads this
sketch, after reaching manhood, learned the
marble cutter's trade at Terre Haute, and
subsequently established marble works at
Clinton, which he conducted until 1868, since
which time he has been engaged in painting
and decorating. He was married in 1858 to
Miss Melinda Anderson, of Perrysville, this
county, who died in February, 1871, leaving
three children — Lucius O., now editor and
proprietor of the Sat^brday Anjus&i Clinton;
Edwin A., engaged in a mercantile establish-
ment at Frankfort, Indiana, and Ella. Mr.
Bishop was again united in marriage in Sep-

BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES.

teinber, 1875, taking for liis second wife Miss
Jennie Iliglifill, of Newport, Vermillion
County. Two children liave been born to
bless this union, their names being Floj^, and
Ethel. His second wife died at her home in
Clinton, June 28, 1886.

fOIIN II. LINN, manager of the " Flour
Exchange," Dana, Indiana, is a native of
Ohio, born in Hocking County, October
9, 1843, a son of Adam Linn, who was born
in Guernsey '^County, Ohio, his father, Josejjh
Linn, being a pioneer of that county. John
11. was raised in his native State on a farm,
remaining at home until after the breaking
out of the Rebellion; when, at the age of
eighteen he enlisted in Company I, Seventy-
tifth Ohio Infantry. He served three years
and nearly three months, and participated in
several active engagements. During the time
of service he was eighteen months in thecit^-
of Baltimore, Maryland, on special detail, and
finally discharged at Jacksonville, Florida.
After his return from the war, he taught
school ill Ohio for eight years, then came to
Montezuma, Indiana, where he was employed
for six years in the grain business by Col. E.
M. Benson. While in Montezuma, he was
assessor of Eeserve Township two years, and
twice elected clerk of the Town Board. He
moved to Dana in 1882, where he has since
lived. He is a staunch Democrat, and noted
for his unshrinking fidelity to the principles
of sobriety, integrity, industry and economy.
He is now president of the Town Board of
Dana, and enjoys the honor of being its prin-
cipal incorporator. Mr. Linn was married
February 25, 1866, to Nancy J. Crawford.
Four children have been born to them, two
of whom are living — Carrie A. and Ealph W.
Their eldest daughter, Alice M., died aged

sixteen years, and Flora, their youngest
daughter, at the early age of one year and
one month. Mr. and Mrs. Linn are both
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ILO .1. KUDY, of I'errysville, is a
son of Jacob Rudy, who was a native
^%^^^ of Switzerland, and came to America
when a boy with his father, Martin Rudy.
Jacob was the eldest of four children. Ho was
reared in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania,
where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and
was married to Catherine Lilly. In the fall of
1833 he moved to Indiana, and the following
year to Vermillion County, and settled in
Highland Township, about a mile south of
Perrysvil-le,' where for several years he worked
at his trade, and the latter part of his
life was engaged in farming. About 1812
he moved to Wisconsin, where his wife died
soon after, and the family then returned to
Vermillion County, and here the fatlier died
in the fall of 1880. He was married the
second time after his return to this county.
To his first marriage were born four children,
three sons and one daughter. Martin, who
besides on the homestead, and Milo J. being
the only surviving members of the family.
Catherine and John died in childhood. Mr.
Rudy was an industrious man, and although
he was poor when he came to this county, he
worked hard at his trade and with the money
earned invested it in real estate, which ad-

vanced in value, and made him wealthy,
enabling him to leave his sons considerable
property. He possessed in a large degree
that spirit of economy and energy cliaracter-
istic of the German people, and was a worthy,
respected citizen. Milo J. Rudy was born in
Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1840. He
was married in 1869 to Miss Sophia S. Seas

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

who was born in Y\oyd County, Indiana, a
daughter of Samuel and Harriet Seas. Sam-
uel Seas was born January 30, 1807, in Cum-
berland, Alleghany County, Maryland, and in
1832 moved to Illinois, and two years later
to Vermillion County, Indiana, where he
married Harriet English, December 21, 1834.
Tliey afterward moved to Floyd County, and
subsecjuently returned to Perrysville, and in
1868 went to Covington, Indiana, where Mr.
Seas died in September, 1875. Mrs. Seas died
January 31, 1880. She was born December
13, 1818. They had a family of six children,
Mrs. Ivudy being the only one who lived till
maturity. Mrs. Seas is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Seas is a
worthy member of the Vermillion Lodge,
Knights of Pythias, Ko. 113; also a member
of the Unity Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 314.

fllOMAS W. EELL, tailor, Eugene, is a
native of Pennsylvania, born March
31, 1825, his father, Thomas Bell,
being a native of Ireland. The latter came
to the United States with his widowed mother
during the Eevolutionary war, his brother,
John Bell, having served seven years in that
memorable struggle. Thomas W., our sub-
ject, learned the tailor's trade at his birth-
])lace, and worked at it in various places in
Pennsylvania. He went to Kew Middletown,
Ohio, in 1849, but shortly after went to Dar-
lington, thence to Beaver, Pennsylvania.
From Beaver he removed to Vernon, Indiana,
remaining there si.x months. He lived in
ditlerent places in Indiana until September,
1850, since which time he has been a resident
of Eugene. He was married in April, 1853,
to Miss Melinda Bennett, a daughter of Cray-
tun Bennett, and tlieir two sons, William and
David \V., arc numbered among the entei--

prising young business men of Eugene. Mr.
Bell was a soldier in the war of the Kebell-
ion, serving eight months in Company E,
One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana In-
fantry.

fOHN H. BOGART, M. D., of Clinton,
and the oldest resident physician of Ver-
million County, is a native of this county,
born in Helt Township June 27, 1845, a son
of Henry and Sarah I. (AYishard) Bogart,
both of whom came to tlie coimty when
young. The father of our subject died when
the latter was six months old. The mother is
now living in Clinton, where she has resided
since 1850. She is now the widow of Benja-
min F. Morey, whom she married about
1852. Dr. Bogart, our subject, is the only
living child of his father. He commenced
the study of medicine under Dr. I. B. Hedges
in 1866 at Clinton, and in 1867-'68 he at-
tended lectures at the Michigan State Uni\er-
sity at Ann Arbor, graduating from that
institution in 1869, and the same year began
the practice of medicine at Clinton, where he
has gained a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Bogart M-as married May 14, 1872, to
Miss Melissa A. Nebeker, who was also born
in Helt Township, Vermillion County, in
1852, a daughter of Aquilla Kebeker. Both
of her parents are deceased. They are the
parents of two children — Paul and Zona.
The doctor owns quite large interests in city
property, besides two well improved farms,
one beiiig the old Kebeker homestead in Helt
Tovvnsliip. Dr. Bogart enlisted in the war
of the Rebellion in November, 18G3, in Com-
pany C, One Hundred and Twenty-third In-
diana Infantry, his regiment being assigned
to tlie Twenty-third Army Corps under C4en-
eral Scholield. He subsequently joined Sher-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

man's army and was in the campaign against
Atlanta. During the last year he was a hos-
pital steward. In politics he is a ivepnbli-
can, and from 1876 nntil 1880 he held the
office of treasurer of Vermillion County, lie
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, be-
longing to Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99, of
Tcrre Haute Chapter, No. 11, and Comman-
dery No. 16.

fOIlN O. IIOGEIIS, one of the enterpris-
inw farmers of Kelt Township, was born
^,^i in Vermillion Township, January 8,
1827, and has always lived within three miles
of his birthplace. He was a son of John
Rogers, who was a native of Ireland, and in
1789 accompanied his father, James Rogers,
to the United States and located in Kentucky,
and from there moved to Chillicothe, Ohio,
where James Rogers built one of the first
houses in the place. An uncle of our sub-
ject, Samuel Rogers, was captured by the In-
dians daring the Indian war in Kentucky,
but escaped and took with him an Indian
gun and shot-pouch and strap of an Ameri-
can officer which the Indians had taken from
a soldiei'. The strap is now in the possession
of our subject, who values it as an inter-
esting heirloom. In 1821 John Rogers came
to Vermillion County and settled on Kelt's
Prairie, then a wild, nninhabited tract. John
O. was born on the prairie, three miles north-
east of Dana, and here he has spent his life.
He was reared a farmer, and has made agri-
culture the vocation of his life. He now
owns 400 acres of fine land, divided into
three farms, the greater part of the land
under cultivation. Mr. Rogers was married
December 8, 1870, to Ruth Kerns, a daughter
of William Kerns. She died in 1876 leaving
two children — William and Irvin. In Au-

gust, 1877, Mr. Rogers married Rebecca
Ilutson, daughter of David Hutson. They
have one daughter — Sarah. Mr. and Mrs.
Rogers are members of the Methodist Epis-

copal church. Mr. Rogers has ser
tice of the peace sixteen years.

•ed

as jus-

fMiWl ^^' ^^^I^-^^S, a prominent attorney
-flfmll^ of Vermillion, and the oldest legal

yitj\''l:v\f oi V ermuiion, auu me Oldest lega
■^4*1?=® practitioner at Newport, is a native
of Indiana, born in Hancock County, Septem-
ber 28, 1836. His father, George Rlioads,
was born in the State of Pennsylvania, of
German descent. He was married to Miss
Sarah Geiger, and to them were born six
children, all of wdiom are still living — Mrs.
Eliza Young, a resident of. Putnam County,
Indiana; Henry E. and William F., living at
Waveland; George, a practicing physician at
Shelby ville, Illinois; Baskin E., a prominent
attorney at Terre Haute, and formerly judge
of the Superior Court, and Martin G., the
subject of this sketch. In the fall of 1835
the father came with his family, then con-
sisting of wife and five children, to Indiana,
making the journey in a one-horse wagon.
The father then entered eighty acres of land
in Hancock County, but soon after disposed
of this purchase and removed to Parke County,
where he remained about two years. He
then settled at Waveland, Montgomery Coun-
ty, where he died June 20, 1875, at the age
of seventy-six years. His widow, the mother
of our subject, was born in 1797, and is now
living with her son at Waveland. Martin G.
Rhoads was educated at the academy at
Waveland preparing for the junior class of
the college, but owing to an affliction of his
eyes he was prevented from taking the college
course. For a considerable time he followed
the teacher's profession, becoming a jjopular

IHSrORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

and very successful instructor. He began the
study of law during the war of theliebellion,
and was admitted to tlie bar at Newport,
Indiana, in August, 1865, and since that
time has been constantly engaged iu practice,
and his career as a lawyer has been a success-
ful one. lie began the practice of law with
his brother, Judge Rlioads, with whom he
was associated until about 1877. He is now
a member of the firm of Rhoads & Aikman,
this firm having been formed but recently.
Mr. Ehoads was united iu marriage to Miss
Fannie Mofi'att, a daughter of Robert D.
Moffatt, of Perrysville, and they are the
parents of two children — Paul Moifatt and
Helen. Mr. Rhoads -was surveyor of Ver-
million County for a term of two years. In
politics he is a Republican and is a strong-
adherent and an able exponent of the princi-
ples of the party of his choice.

mOBERT BALLENTINE STOKES, a
'^W^ worthy representative of one of the old
'''^^ pioneer families of Vermillion Count}',
was born in Franklin County, Ohio, the date
of his birth being September 15, 1810. He
is tlie only surviving sou of Matthew and
llarminah Stokes, the father born June 27,
1774. Nathaniel Stokes, the grandfather of
our subject, was a native of North Carolina,
from which State he removed to Kentucky.
Later he settled Avith his familj' at Columbia,
near Cincinnati, Ohio, and during his resi-
dence at that place he and his son Matthew-
worked at Cincinnati. In 1791 when St.
Clair was defeated l)y Indians at Fort Recov-
ery, Ohio, Matthew Stokes assisted in bury-
ing the dead slain by the Indians. He was
married in Ohio to llarminah Skidniore, a
descendant of a proinineiit Kentucky family.
They had a family of nine children, eight of

whom grew to maturity and liad families of
their own. Their daughter, Mrs. Mary Skid-
more Winsett, of Edgar County, Illinois, who
was born February 14, 1822, and Robert B.,
the subject 'of this sketch, are the only sur-
vivors of the family at the present writing.
Soon after his marriage Matthew Stokes
settled near Columbus in Franklin County,
wliere he lived until 1820, when he started
with his family for the Wabash. They went
down the Scioto River to the Ohio, tiieuce to
the mouth of the "Wabash and up the Wabash
to Clinton. After living four years on Ilelt's
Prairie the family settled two miles south of
Newport, where the father made his home
until liis death December 16, 1840. Hi,-
wife was born January 1, 1779, and died in
the year 1835. Robert Ballentine Stokes,
whose name heads this sketch, was a lad of
ten years when he came with his father's
family to Vermillion County, where lie has
since lived, a period of sixty-seven years.
He was married January 31, 1833, to Miss
Reljecca Wallace, a native of Virginia, and a
daughter of William Wallace, one of tlu'
early pioneers of Vermillion County, settling
here in 1829. He was bereaved by the death
of his wife November 25, 1874, after journey-
ing down life's pathway together for fifty
years. She was a consistent Christian, a
member of the Methodist Episcopal cliurch,
and was beloved by all who knew her. Of
the six children born to them, one son,
Robert Finley, is the only one living. He
was born in Vermillion County, February 14,
1843, and is living on the old Iiomestead of
his father. Isabella, vrife of John Stakley,
died February 22, 1870; James W. was born
January 1, 1841, and died February 10,
1867; and three died in infancy. Mr. Stokes
entered a tract of eightj' acres in Vermillion
Township, in 1832, and has succeeded well
in his agricultural pursuits, and is now

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

enjoying the fruits of his years of toil, sur-
rounded with all the necessary comforts of
life. During his residence here he has taken
a deep interest in the welfare of his township,
and no one in this section of the country is
more highly respected than he. Although a
member of no church, he has a great respect
for religion. He has always been a great
Bible reader and tries to live according to its
precepts.

ffg^EZIN METZGER, of PerrysviUe, is a
iWt representative of one of tlie early pio-
^"^^ neer families of Yermillion County, his
father, Jonas Metzger, having settled here
with his family as early as 1828. The father
was a native" of Pennsylvania, born December
7, 1793. AVhen a young man he went to
Ohio, and was married in that State Decem-
ber 24, 1818, to Miss Mary Craig, who was
born in Ohio, June 4, 1803. They reared a
family of twelve children, six sons and six
daughters, to maturity, of whom six are still
living — David H., the eldest son, now living
in Kansas, was born OctoTier 13, 1819, was a
soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving
three years in Company B, One Hundred and
Thirteenth Illinois Infantry; Rezin, the sub-
ject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Ann Simpson,
living in Dakota; Mrs. Indiann Glover, re-
siding in Greene County, Missouri; Mrs. Ann
Maria Runyon, of Vermillion County, Illi-
nois, and Mrs, Martha Ann McKiljl)en, living
in Florida. On coming to Vermillion County,
Indiana, the family settled on the Big Ver-
million River in Eugene Township, living on
what is now known as the Shelby farm some
live years. The father then bought a farm
in Highland Township, about three miles
north of Perrysville, where he lived with his
family until 1865, when the infirmities of

age compelled him to retire from active
labor, and he purchased a home in Perrys-
ville, where he lived until his death, which
occurred February 29, 1872. He was a
soldier in the war of 1812, serving under
Captain Shelby, of Kentucky. He was reared
to the avocation of a farmer, which he fol-
loM-ed until he retired from active life. He
was a man of strict integrity, esteemed by
all for his honest, upright character, and left
as an inheritance to his children a name of
which they may well be proud. He was a
man of strong religious principles, striving
to do right at all times. In politics he was
a "Whig in early life, but was identified with
the Republican party from its organization.
His widow still survives, and is living with
her son, Eezin, at the advanced age of eighty-
four years. Rezin Metzger, whose name
heads this sketch, is a native of Vermillion
County, Indiana, born in Highland Town-
ship, August 23, 1837, and has always made
his home in his native county. He lived
with his parents until his marriage, after
which they made their home with him, and
his mother, who is now rendered helpless by
the infirmities of age, is his especial care, and
he is happy in surrounding her with all the
necessary comforts of life. In July, 1862,
Mr. Metzger enlisted in the Seventy-first In-
diana Infantry, and August 80, 1862, only
about a month after he entered the service,
he received a severe gun-shot wound in the
right hip at the battle of Richmond, Ken-
tucky. His injury rendered him unfit for
further duty in the army, and he has never
fully recovered from the effects of this wound.
He was married December 31, 1868, to Miss
Roxy F. Jones, a native of Crawfordsville,
Indiana, and daughter of A. T. Jones, and
to them have been born four children, named
William, Grace, Daisy and Jonas. J\Ir.
Metzger ever endeavors to follow the pre-

VERMILLION COUNTY.

cepts and example of liis father, who instilled
into the minds of his children the principles
of well doing. Politically Mr. Metzger is a
Eepuhlican, casting his first Presidential vote
in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln.

tLEXANDER KINDERMANN,
a prominent and skillful physician and
surgeon, residing at Eugene, was born
December 5, 1858, in Eugene Township, this
county, where the town of Ca^'uga now
stands. His father, Gottfiied Kindermann,
being a farmer, he was reared to the same
avocation, and received his education in the
common schools of Eugene. He read medi-
cine under the preceptorship of Dr. W. C.
Eichelberger, now of Terre Haute, Indiana,
and February 21, 1883, he graduated from
Rush Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois,
standing at the head of his class. He took
special courses in eye and ear, dental surgery
and dermatology, and Avhile in college, and
also after his graduation he practiced surgery
with eminent success. He engaged in the
practice of medicine in Eugene, March 14,
1883, and being well versed in the knoM'ledge
of his chosen profession, he has succeeded in
estaljlishing a large and lucrative practice.
He is a member of the Alumni of Chicago.
Gottfried Kindermann, the father of our sub-
ject, resides on section 18, Eugene Township,
where he is engaged in farming and stock-
raising. He is a native of Prussia, Germany,
born March 26, 1826, a son of Hohan Her-
man Kindermann. He was a soldier in the
Prussian army three years and four months,
serving through the French Revolution and
the Danish war, and during that time sent
the money he earned to his mother. He was
married in his native country in 1855, to
Miss Fredricka Heidbreider, and to them

v/ere born six children, three still living —
Hohan F., of Vermillion Township, married
Lena Hahn; Alexander, our subject, and
Samuel, married Sally Hahn and has one son
named Gottfried. The father came to Amer-
ica in 1856, landing at ]^ew York City with
but little means, and this was soon used for
hotel and railroad accommodations. lie soon
came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and
settled in Eugene Township, where he has
since made his home. When he landed in
Eugene he was in debt to the amount of $54,
and to-day he is the owner of a fine farm of
240 acres, which he has acquired by his own
untiring industry and perseverance, and is
classed among the successful and most re-
spected citizens of his township. Roth he
and his wife are members of the Lutheran
church.

?i~|' M. DAVIS, a prominent; agriculturist
JjT'L of Vermillion County, engaged in
-^''^ farming, and raising and dealing in
stock in Vermillion Township, is a represent-
ative of one of the old pioneer families of
the county. He is a son ^of Benjamin and
Ruth (Sears) Davis, his parents being of
Scotch and German descent. They came to
Vermillion County in 1834, where they made
their home until death, the father dying in
1854 at the age of sixty-four years, and the
mother in 1869, aged sixty-two years. They
were the parents of twelve children, of whom
only two are living — F. M. and Daniel. F.
M. Davis is a native of Vermillion County,
the date of his birth being February 10,1838.
He was reared to the avocation of a farmer
which he has made his life work. His edu-
cational advantages were very limited, but by
close observation he acquired a good business
education. He being the eldest son, the care

Y ^>%-

Mr.A.a^^

'/.

^Clt/l'y>ta//'i'yL

and responsibility of his mother and her
eleven children rested on him after his father's
deatl), and for eighteen years he was the
mainstay of the family. He was married in
Vermillion County in 1871, to Miss Sarah
E. Bennett, who was born on tlie farm where
she now resides, October 9, 1851. Of the
eight children born to this union only three
are living — Martha, Ida and Noah. Five died
in infancy. Mr. Davis commenced life a
poor boy, entirely without capital, and his
success has been due to his own efforts, and
to-day he is classed among the prosperous
men of his township. lie is now the owner
of a line farm on section 9, Vermillion Town-
ship, containing 152 acres, beside which he
owns 100 acres of land in another part of the
county. Quiet in manners, and of industri-
ous habits, upright and honorable in all his
dealings he has gained the conildence and es-
teem of all who know him. In politics he
afhliates with the Democratic party. He is a
member of the United Brethren church.

^AMES S. liOGERS, an old settler of
J'jj: A'crmillion County, was born in Frank-
W" lin County, Ohio, July 26, 1813, a son
of John Rogers, who was Ijorn in County
Monaghan, Ireland, who came to America in
1789. In 1824 James S. came with his
parents to Vermillion County, Indiana, and
settled on lielt's Prairie, where he grew to
manhood, his youth being spent in assisting
his father improve a frontier farm. He
learned the wagon-maker's trade when ayoitng
man, at which he worked about eighteen
years. In 1877 he moved to Dana,' where
for ten years he has been an honored citizen.
Fcbniarj5, 1835, he was married to Margaret
Widlace, daughter of William Wallace, an
early settler of Vermillion Township. Their

only son, JohuW., is deceased. He married
Sarah J. Carmack, daughter of Andrew Car-
mack, of Vermillion Township. Mrs. Rogers
died in 1878. Mr. Rogers is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal churcli.

fACOB ILES, one of the old and respected
pioneers of Vermillion County, who is
now deceased, was born in Rockingham
County, Virginia, May 10, 1791, a son of
Henry lies, who was a native of Germany.
His father was a soldier in the United States
service during the war of the Revolution.
Jacob lies was a tailor by trade. He left
his native State for Ohio, when a young man,
and in the winter of 1820-'21, he located at
Terre Haute, Indiana. He was married Jan-
uary 1, 1822, to Miss Hannah Stevenson,
and to them were born six children, three of
whom died in childhood. Those yet living
are — Mrs. Martha J. Naylor, James B. and
Jacob H. Mr. lies entered land in Ver-
million County, Indiana, one mile north of
Eugene at the first Government land sale
here, and later he entered much land in Illi-
nois. He removed with hisfamily to hisland
near Eugene iu 1829, when Indians and wild
animals were numerous, and here they ex-
perienced many of the vicissitudes of pioneer
life. Mr. lies died July 29, 1863, his widow
surviving until March 23, 1886. They were
honored and respected people and beloved by
all who knew them.

,ATTIIEW W. SCOTT, retired farmer,
and now Residing in the city of
^ Clinton, Vermillion County, Indiana,
has been identified with the interests of the
county siuce October 12, 18'47, when he es-

niSTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

tablished liis residence on sectfon 15, Clinton
Township. He bought 160 acres of land
wliich was covered with a heavy growth of
timber and with his limited means the work
of clearing and improving it depended upon
his determination to succeed in spite of all
obstacles, as time went he invested his earn-
ings in land until he was the owner of 810
acres, nearly all of which is in one tract, and
the most of it in cultivated fields or in pas-
ture land, only about sixty acres being re-
served for timber. A portion has been given
to his children, but he still retains 485 acres,
divided into three farms which are leased.
He also has several residence lots in Clinton,
three of which are improved and occupied by
tenants. January 5, 1882, Mr. Scott moved
to Clinton, and is now living on West street
where he has a fine residence, and has settled
down to enjoy the fruits of his many years
of toil and hardship. Mr. Scott was born in
Jefferson County, Indiana, February 17,
1823, a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Cruson)
Scott, his father a native of Fleming County,
Kentucky, born September 30, 1797, and his
mother born near Manchester, Ohio. They
wei-e married in Oliio, where the father had
lived from the age of eleven years. The
mother died at the age of forty-six years, the
father surviving her many years and dying
at the age of seventy-five years. To them
were born nine children who lived till ma-
turity, but five of whom are living — John,
Joseph, Matthew W., Mary A. and Asenath.
Matthew was the fifth of the family. He
was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which
he has followed through life, and by his in-

dustrious habits and

persevermg energy

met with good success. He has shipped con-
siderable stock to Chicago, and also shipped
some to Cincinnati and Indianapolis. He
made two trips on the Mississippi River in
the years of 1842-'43; and on October 11

and 12, 1846, he was in Chicago with horses
for sale. He then walked from Chicago to
Greeucastle, in three days. He remained
at home until twenty years of age, when he
went to Putnam County, Indiana, and re-
mained three and a half years, when he moved
to Vermillion County. Mr. Scott was mar-
ried in Putnam County, March 10, 1847, to
Miss Mary Mann, a native of that county,
born July 9, 1829, a daughter of Levi Mann.
To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born eight
children, three sons and five daughters — Mrs.
Elizabeth Mann, of Clinton; Mrs. Arabelle
McClain, of Lawrence County, Missouri;
Leonard D., of Vigo County, Indiana; Levi
S., who lives on the old homestead on section
15, Clinton Township; Mrs. Hannah Moss,
of Greene County, Indiana; Dollie; Matthew
M., junior member of the firm Edwards &
Scott, dealers in boots and shoes, Clinton,
and deputy postmaster, and Gertrude, who is
the youngest. Mr. Scott is a public-spirited
man and takes an especial interest in the
cause of education, giving his children the
advantages of the best schools. In politics
he afiiliates with the Democratic party. Ho
and his wife are niembers of the Presbyterian
church.

^TyREDERICK WALTER, a prominent
^ri and enterprising farmer of Clinton
''\^ Township, residing on section 17, was
born near Worth, in Alsace, France, now a
province of Germany, the date of his birth
being November 13, 1834. His parents,
Michael and Louisa Walter, were natives of
Germany. When the subject of this sketch
was a child of three years, they came to the
United States, and made their home in Erie
County, New York, ten miles eastof Buffalo,
where they spent the rest of their lives, the

ntOGRAPHlCAL SKETOHES.

335

father dying in his forty-ninth year in Jnly,
1844, and the mother dying in 1855, aged
fifty-five years. Four of their children lived
to maturity — Mrs. Magdalena Clonse, now
residing in Kansas; Frederick, whose name
heads this sketch; Jacob, who died at the
home of our subject, in 1859, and Mrs.
Louisa Taylor, living in Clinton Township.
Frederick Walter was reared to agricultural
pursuits, and has always followed the avoca-
tion of a fanner. He was married in Erie
County, New York, in September, 1854, to
Miss Sarah Kinsley, who was born in Ger-
many September 15, 1836, but reared from
childhood in the State of New York. Her
parents embarked with their family for
America in the year 1844, her mother dying
on the voyage, and was buried in the ocean.
Her father settled in New York State where
he was again married. He died in Erie
County, that State, in 1860, leaving his chil-
dren to the care of their step-mother. Of the
ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter
seven are living — Mrs. Louisa S. Foltz,
Charles F., John F., George W., EfRe E.,
Julia and Richard. The younger children
aic at home with their parents, and none live
far from the parental roof. The children
deceased are William, who died aged one
year and ten months; Cora, aged nine years,
and a daughter who died in infancy. John
F. has been blind since seven years of age,
and is now a vigorous man. He is success-
fully engaged in the manufacture of brooms,
and has his workshop near his father's house,
and few men are more skilled in their work or
better able to go about the country, buying
material or selling their wares. Mr. Walter
came with his family to Vermillion County,
Indiana, in the spring of 1857, and April 14
of the same year settled on the land which
they now occupy, the jjlace being one of tlie
early pioneer homes of the county, formerly

owned and occupied by Judge Cliarles Por-
ter. Mr. Walter also brought with him to
the county his youngest brother and sister,
for whom he cared after their mother's
death until they reached maturity. When
Mr. Walter settled on his homestead, tlie
property having been so long neglected and
unoccupied, was almost in a state of its
natural wildness. His capital then consisted
of $350, with which he purchased forty acres
of his land, which he at once began to clear
and improve, having no stock or team to as-
sist him in the work. With the aid of his
excellent wife, and by his own industry and
energy, combined with habits of economy, he
has acquired a good property, his homestead
of 130 acres being now one of the finest and
best cared for farms in this part of Clinton
Township. Both himself and wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist church, and among the
res])ected citizens of Clinton Township. In
politics he is an ardent Kepublican.

fAMES C. SAWYER, one of the leading
lawyers of Vermillion County, and a
member of the law firm of Conley &
Sawyer, of Newport, is a native of Indiana,
born in Hendricks County, Sejitember 8,
1848. When he was quite young his father,
John Sawyer, died, and at the age of sixteen
years he began life for himself, working on a
farm during the summer months, and in the
winters attending school. Being thrown upon
his own resources at an early age, and desir-
ous of obtaining an education with but little
opportunity for instruction, he early acquired
habits of industry and persevering energy.
At the age of eighteen years, by studiously
improving such opportunities as were attain-
able, he had qualified himself to teacii a
country school, and for some time folhiwed

ESmSmS^'II

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

tlie vocation of a teaclier, studying as oppor-
tunity afforded. He studied law principally
without a preceptor, and whatever success
he lias attained has been due to his own
efforts. lie was admitted to the bar of Ver-
million County at Newport, in 1876, and im-
mediately entered upon his legal career. He
practiced alone about one year, and was then
associated with C. Ward for two years. He
then practiced alone for several years when
tiie firm of Sawyer & Gibson was formed
which continued about two and a half years.
Tlie tirm of Conley & Sawyer was formed in
November, 1886. Mr. Sawyer was united in
marriage to Miss Amanda Duncan, a native
of Hendricks County, Indiana, who came to
Vermillion County in 1877. Their only son,
Herbert, was born in Newport. In politics
Mr. Sawyer affiliates with the Democratic
party.

l^OP.ERT J. GESSIE, one of the repre-
^|rV; sentative citizens of Vermillion County,
^^\\ was born in Cumberland County, Penn-
sylvania, November 5, 1809. His father.
Christian Gessie, was also a native of Cuiii-
berland County, born January 17, 1788, and
for some time was a merchant in the town of
Newville, that county. He died March 12,
1816, at the age of twenty-eight years. After
the death of his father, Robert J. went to the
home of an uncle where he lived until
reaching the age of seventeen years. He
then started in life on his own account, leav-
ing his uncle's house on foot with knapsack
on iiis l)ack, and walked to Trenton, New
Jersey, where he was first engaged as clerk
in a hotel, remaining in this position about a
year. He then clerked in a store for a time
when he secured a position as clerk in the
chancellor's office. He was married at J\lur-

risville, opposite Trenton, in November,
1829, to Miss Sarah Yard, who was born in
New Jersey, and immediately after his mar-
riage he took his first trip west accompanied
by his wife, going to Philadelphia by boat,
thence by stage to Pittsburgh, and from there
by boat down the Ohio River to New Albanj-,
Indiana. After remaining in Indiana about
a year lie returned to New Jersey in the fall
of 1830, passing the following winter at the
home of his fatiier-in-law at Morrisville. He
then turned his attention to teaching, and
taught his first school at Pennsylvania Manor,
on the banks of the Delaware, and in the
spring of 1832 he taught at liatboro, north
of Philadelphia. In the spring of 1833 Mr.
and Mrs. Gessie again started westward, stop-
ping at Columbus, Ohio, where he began
teaching school, but soon after accepted a
position as clerk in a store in that town. In
the spring of 1835 he went to Chicago, Illi-
nois, where he found employment as a clerk,
and remained there until 1837. That year
he came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and
engaged in the mercantile business at Perrys-
ville, and in the spring of 1838 he formed a
partnership with Asaph Hill, which lasted
several years. During this time he purchased
the farm in Highland Township on which he
now resides. After the dissolution of the
partnership above referred to Mr. Gessie
spent some time in settling up his business,
and also carried on a general agency for a
number of years. In 1848 he was elected
to the Indiana State Legislature, serving two
terms. In the spring of 1853 he went to
Cincinnati, Ohio, for the purpose of selling
goods for the firm of Blachly, Simpson &
Co., and being a successful merchant he ren-
dered valuable service to tiie company. In
1862 the firm of Blachly, Simpson & (Jo.
went into liqui<1ation, and Mr. Gessie re-
mained to assist in settling the business,

which occupied about two years. Mrs. Gessie
died in March, 1864, leaving two sons-William
and Charles. Mr. Gessie was married a sec-
ond time, to Miss Mary Ann Morse, a rela-
tive of the famous electrician Professor
Morse. Since 1864 Mr. Gessie has lived
somewhat retired from active life, residing on
his beautiful farm near the village of Gessie,
this town being laid out on his land and
named in honor of him. In politics Mr.
Gessie was originally a Whig, but has been a
staunch llepublican since the organization of
that party. Keligiously he is a strong be-
liever in the principle of universal salvation.
Mr. Gessie has always taken an active inter-
est in the advancement of the cause of edu-
cation. No man has been more prominently
connected with the histor}' of Vermillion
County, and none are better known or more
highly respected than Eobert J. Gessie, the
subject of this sketch.

t^ ,ARON ir. WADE, deceased, was born
jsV in Butler County, Ohio, in 1819, a son
^ of Aaron and Julia (Ward) Wade, of
English descent. When he was five years of
age his parents moved to Parke County,
Indiana, where he grew to manhood and
lived until 1857, when he moved to Vermill-
ion County, making this his home until his
death, which occurred March 22, 1886. In
earl 3' life he worked at the carpenter's trade
and later devoted his attention to I'arming, at
which he was successful and at his death left
a good farm of 260 acres, where his widow
and her family now live. Mr. Wade was an
upright, honorable Christian gentleman, a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and was respected by all who knew him. He
was married in 1849 to Laura Vanlaudingham,
a native of Greene County, Indiana, born in

1827, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Van-
laudingham. Iler grandfatlier Hamilton
was a cousin of the distinguished Alexander
Hamilton, and her grandmother was a cousin
of Commodore Thomas McDonough, of the
United States Navy. To Mr. and Mrs. Wade
were born seven children, six of whom are
living — Belle, wife of John T. Harris, of
Indianapolis; Thomas V., James D., Laura,
wife of Julius Groves; Emma and John A.
Samuel is deceased. Mrs. Wade is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of
its active workers. She is a prominent citi-
zen of the townshi]) and has many friends,
who honor her for her man}' womanly
qualities.

— ^.^-s«:->|»--- —

,|J|.ELSON C. ANDERSON, one of Ver-
iMfJ million County's most active and enter-
'^4k prising business men, was born in
Wood County, West Virginia, the date of
his birth being August 13, 1837. He is the
ninth in a family of ten children of Edward
and Elizabeth (Statts) Anderson, both of his
parents being natives of Wood County, AVest
Virginia. They came with their five young-
est children to Vermillion County, Indiana,
and made their home near Clinton in 1853,
where the father bought a tract of 160 acres.
He did not live long in his new home, his
death occurring in September, 1855, at the
age of sixty-seven years, his widow surviving
him until 1859. Their children are as fol-
lows: Michael, still living in Wood County,
Virginia, being seventy-six years old July
10, 1887; John came to Vermillion County a
few years after his parents had settled here,
and is now living in Helt Township; Samuel
and Peter died in West Virginia; Mrs. Sarah
Smith died in Vermillion County; Mrs. Eliza
Hupp, Mrs. Rebecca Sparks and Elijah also

BISTORT OP VERMILLION COUNTT.

died in this county; Nelson C, the subject of
this sketch, and Mrs. Margaret Payton, living
in Ilelt Township. Nelson C. Anderson
commenced his business career in 1856 as
clerk in the mercantile establishment of John
"Whitcomb, with whom he remained a few
years. In 1860 he was married to Miss Ann
M. Fisher, of Clinton, and the year following
Iiis marriage he engaged in farming. He
subsequently re-entered the employ of Mr.
Whitcomb, becoming his partner in 1866,
\\lien the business was conducted under the
linn name of Whitcomb, Anderson & Co.,
tiie late A. L. Whitcomb being the silent
partner. Mr. Anderson finally sold out his
interest in the business, and in company with
tiie late General 11. D. Washburn who had
been appointed Survey-General for Montana,
and others, started for Fort Benton. On
account of the low water the company spent
three months on the Missouri Kiver, when
failing to go farther by river Mr. Anderson
returned to Vermillion County, reaching his
home in July. He then bought back his
interest in the mercantile basiness,''and after
several years of successful trade the partner-
ship was dissolved, Mi-. Anderson retaining
the grocery stock and trade. Tliis biisiness
he has largely increased and it now aggregates
over $40,000 per year. As a member of the
firm of Shirkie & Co. Mr. Anderson is
developing a coal mine a half mile west of
Clinton. He is also a member of the firm of
Hamilton & Anderson, the leading grain
operators in tiie county, and also dealers in
agricultural implements. Besides the busi-
ness above mentioned he has large interests
in improved city property in Clinton, and is
classed among the prosperous men of the
county. He has been the architect of liis
own fortune, having acquired all he has by
persevering energy and good business man-
agement, and he well knows how to use liis

capital. Mr. Anderson lost liis wife by death
in 1861, and in November, 1865, he married
Miss Thurza Nebeker, who is a sister of Sey-
mour and Dr. Henry Nebeker. They are the
parents of one child — Shelden S., born June
23, 1870. In politics Mr. Anderson has
always affiliated with the Republican party.
Vermillion County has no more active, public
spirited man than N. C. Anderson, the suIj-
ject of this sketch, and none are more highly
respected.

l^ROF. FFtED RUSH, principal of tlie
''iW ^^"^^ schools and surveyor of Vermillion
^ County, was born in Clinton, March 20,
1858, a son of James Rush, of Ilelt Town-
ship, a pioneer of Vermillion County. He
was reared a farmer but was given a good
education, completing his studies at the
National Normal School, at Lebanon, Oiiio.
He has been engaged in teaching about ten
years and is one of the most successful teacli-
ers in the county. In the fall of 1884 he
moved to Dana and took charge of the public
schools and the same fall was elected county
surveyor and was re-elected in 1886. Sep-
tember 13, 1882, Mr. Rush was mai-ried to
Anna M., daughter of Jackson Ilinkle of
Farmersburg, Indiana. They have had three
children, two of whom are living — Philip S.
and Donald C. Mrs. Rush is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Rush is a
member of the Odd Fellows order.

fllARLES W. WARD, of Newport, is
one of the well-known members of the
"^l bar of Vermillion County. He was
admitted at Newport about 1869, but prac-
ticed little at tills place until 1875, when he

hlOQBAPIIICAL SKETGIiBS.

formed a partnership with Eobert B. Sears,
wliich terminated a year or two later. lie
then became associated with J. C. Sawyer in
the practice of law, and still later with Jndge
Joshua Jnmp, and following Joshua Jump
came Josephus C. Davis. The present firm
of Ward & Gibson was formed in November,
ls86, and both members of the firm being
prominent in the legal profession, they have
succeeded in building xip a large and success-
ful practice. Mr. Ward dates his birth in
Bradford, New Hampshire, March 10, 1848,
a son of Sylvester Ward, who died when our
subject was a child of three or four years.
In 1857 Mr. Ward came to Indiana to make
liis home with the family of his nncle, Sena-
tor O. P. Davis. He attended school for
some time at Bloom ingdale, Parke County,
and in 1868 he entered the high school at
Perrysville, Vermillion County. In 1864: he
returned to New Hampshire and spent two
years at the New London Academy, return-
ing to Indiana in 1866, and continued to re-
side in tlie family of Mr. Davis until he
began the study of law. Mr. Ward was
united in marriage January 12,1870, to Miss
Florence Montgomery, a daughter of Dr.
AVilliam G. Montgomery, of Warren County,
Indiana, and a granddaughter of Stephen S.
Cdllett, one of the old and honored pioneers
of Vermillion County.

^ANIEL SIIUTE, a representative citi-
zen of Highland Township, residing on
section 20, is a son of Richard Shute,
who came to Vermillion County among the
early pioneers, locating near the present site
of the Howard Chapel in Highland Town-
sliip, in October, 1829. Eichard Shute was
a native of England, coming to America
wlieu a lad of ten years, his family settling

in Ohio in an early day. He wa8 married in
Lawrence County, Ohio, to Hannah McCart-
ney, and to them were born nine children,
five of whom were born in Vermillion County.
Of the children yet living four sons, Daniel,
John, Ephraim and Jehu, are residents of
Highland Township, this county. Richard
Shute died January 12, 1853, his widow sur-
viving almost twenty years, her death occur-
ring August 26, 1872. Daniel Shute, whose
name heads this sketch, is ^ native of Ohio,
born in 1820, being about nine years of age
when his parents immigrated to Vermillion
County. He distinctly remembers the ap-
pearance of the country sixty years ago, and
lias witnessed the many wonderful changes
which have caused the wilderness to be trans-
formed into well cultivated farms and thriving
towns and villages. His wife was formerly
Miss Jane Gouty, a daughter of Henry Gouty,
one of the old pioneers of the county. Mr.
and Mrs. Shute are the parents of seven
children — Henry, married to Mary Rodgers;
David, married to Mariah Foster; Elizabeth
E., wife of Samuel Rodgers; Mel vina, Mary,
wife of Scott Virgin; Joseph M., married to
Ella Ricliardson, and Sarah, wife of Lewis
Johnson. In politics Mr. Shute affiliates
witli the Republican ticket.

fAMES B. ILES, an active and prosper-
ous farmer and stogk-raiser of Eugene
Township, is a worthy representative of
one of the old pioneer families of Vermillion
Count}', his father having settled on the farm
now occupied by our subject in the year 1828.
James B. was born on this farm in a log
cabin near the site of his present residence,
June 4, 1829, a son of Jacob and Hannah
(Stephenson) lies, his father born in Rock-
ingham County, Virginia, May 10, 1791, and

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNT f.

his niotlier a native of Tennessee, born No-
vember 1, 1796. His father was taken to
Fairlield County, Ohio, by his parents when
a boy, where he spent liis yoiith in clearing a
farm. He learned the tailor's trade in that
county. In 1820 he went to Terre Haute,
Indiana, where lie worked at his trade some
time. After coming to Eugene Township he
made farming his principal avocation, in
whicli he was eminently successful, accumu-
lating much property. He made his home
in Eugene Township until his death, July
29, 1863. His widow died March 23, 1886,
in her eighty-ninth year. They were the
parents of six children, three still living —
Mrs. Martha J. Nailer, James B., the subject
of this sketch, and Jacob. James B. lies
was reared on the old homestead, receiving
such education as the rude log cabin schools
of those early days afforded. He] was married
March 14, 1857, to Miss Elizabetli Tever-
baugh, a daugliter of John Teverbaugh, and
they are the parents of six children — Nora,
William, Mary, Etiie, Hannah and Martha.
Nora is the wife of Henry Peters, of Brim-
field, Illinois, who has been prominently
identified with the interests of Eugene, and
for four years was treasurer of Vermillion
County. Mr. and Mrs. Peters had one daugh-
ter, Josie, who died at the age of eight years.
Mr. lies owns over 1,200 acres of land, and
is classed among the substantial citizens of
the county, where he is esteemed by all who
know him. lie was a member of the Ma-
sonic lodge at Eugene until it disbanded.

fOIIN HENDERSON, farmer and stock-
raiser, resides on section 7, "Vermillion
Township, where .he owns 250 acres of
choice land under a high state of cultivation.
He was born in Vermillion County, Indiana,

near his present homestead, August 20, 1831,
a son of William and Anna (Haworth) Hen-
derson. His father was a native of Ohio, of
English descent, and the mother of Tennessee,
of English and Irish descent. In 1822 his
parents came to this county and settled in
Vermillion Township, where his father died
March 14, 1857, aged forty-nine years. His
mother is still living, making her home with
her son William. Of their six cliildren but
two are living — John and William F. John
Henderson was married in Parke County,
Indiana, in 1870, to Dinah Towell, a native
of Parke County, born January 7, 1837,
daughter of George and Mary (Lindley)
Towell. Mr. Henderson has served two
terms as county surveyor. His educational
advantages were somewhat limited, being
confined to the common schools, with the ex-
ception of six months spent at Bloomingdale
Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are
birthright members of the society of Friends.
He is a firm adherent to the principles of
prohibition, and always gives his support to
any enterprise that tends to the elevation of
society or the material lienefit of the town-
ship or county. He is an active worker in
the church, taking an especial interest in tlir
Sunday-school and its interests.

fANIEL W. FINNEY, dealer in hard-
ware, farm implements and building
naaterial, successor to Lowrey & Fisher,
Dana, Indiana, is a native of the Iloosier
State, born in Parke County, October 8,1837.
a son of Robert Finney, who was born in
North Carolina, of Irish descent, and came
to Indiana M'ith his parents when a boy, and
was here married to Malinda linnt, who was
of Scotch descent. The grandfather of our
subject, Joseph Finney, was a soldier in the

BIOGRAPHICAL SSEtCllMS.

341

war 01 1812. Daniel W. Finney was reared
on a farm in liis native county. lie was
given good educational advantages, and for
a time attended Clooiningdale Academy. He
came to Vermillion County in March, 1862,
and located on a farm one mile northeast of
Dana. In 1870 lie hegan dealing in grain in
Dana, which he continued until 1887, when
he hought the stock of Lowrey & Fisher,
lie carries a capital stock of about $5,000,
and has a large trade which is constantly in-
creasing. He is one of the prominent busi-
ness men of Dana, where he has lived for a
(piarter of a century, and has a large circle of
friends among the business men of the county.
He was married December 15, 1859, to Gilla
Huffman, daughter of Lawson Huifnian, of
Parke County, Indiana. To them have been
lioru seven <;hildren, five of whom are living
— Cora E., Alice M., Annis, William P. and
Maude. One son, Edgar F., died at the age
of four years. Mr. Finney is a member of
the Masonic fraternity. Although he takes
an active interest in the affairs of his town
and county, he never seeks official honors, the
cares of his business demanding his attention
to such an extent that he has no time to
devote to the duties devolving on a public
officer.

fOIIN Q. WASHBURN, general mer-
cliant, Clinton, Indiana, was born in
AVayne County, Ohio, October 13, 1833,
a son of James A. and Mary A. (Kane)
Washburn. His parents moved to Vermill-
ion County, and located in Newport in 1850
His father was a man of prominence in public
affairs and was appointed postmaster at New-
port under the administration of President
Fillmore, and was holding that office at the
time oF his death. His widow survived him

several years. Hon. Henry D. Washburn, an
older brother of John Q., was one of Indiana's
prominent statesman. He was one of the
bravest of the volunteer officers from Indiana
during the war of tlie Rebellion, raising
Company C, Eighteenth Indiana Infantry,
and was afterward made Lieutenant-Colonel
of the regiment. He was subsequently
promoted to Brigadier-General and brevet
Major General. In 1815 he made tlie run
for Congress in this district against Dan
Voorhees, the sitting jneinbei', and defeated
him, and in 1867 was re-elected, running
against Hon. Solomon Claypool. In 1869 he
was appointed Survey-General of Montana
Territory, and was holding that office at the
time of his death, in January, 1871, at the
early age of thirty-nine years. John Q.
Washburn came to Vermillion County, in
1852, two years after his parents and joined
them at Newport, where he lived until after
the breaking out of the Rebellion, engaged
in the mercantile business. In September,
1861, he responded to the call of duty and
enlisted in defense of his country, serving
faithfully fifteen months when he was dis-
charged on account of sickness. Regaining
his health he again, in the spring of 1864,
went to the front as Captain of Company K,
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana
Infantry, joining the grand ai-my of General
Sherman at Resaca, as a part of General
Schofield's corps, the'gallant Twenty-third, and
participated in the hard-fought Atlanta cam-
paign and later in the historic battles at
Franklin and Nashville, where Hood's army
was practically destroyed. Later, still as a
part of the Twenty- tliird Corps, the One
Hundred and Twenty-ninth joined Sherman
at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and was present
at the sun'ender of General Johnston's arm}',
the closing drama of the war. Captain
AVashbnrn in all this campaign did well and

manfully a soldier's part. Since his return to
civil life his career has been no less honorable
than that as a soldier. He has made mer-
chandising the chief occupation of his life
and there are none who are more popnlar as a
merchant than he. Genial and courteous he
has hosts of friends and has been a successful
tradesman. lie has lived in Clinton since
1875, and has one of the most complete and
well stocked stores in the city. Pie was
married in October, 1866, to Laura N.
Nebeker, a native of Halt Township, born
April 23, 1843, a daughter of Hon. Aquila
Nebeker. They have two children — Annie
and Dana. In politics Mr. Washburn is a
stannch supporter of the principles of the
Republican party.

tILLIAM L. POETER, county treas-
urer of Vermillion County, is a
worthy representative of one of the
pioneer families of the connty,his grandfather,
John Porter, having settled in Clinton Town-
ship as early as 1821. lie was a native of
the State of New York, where he was reared
and married, coming directly from that State
to Vermillion County, and in an early day
was an associate judge of the county. Charles
Porter, the father of our subject, was but
four years old when brought by his jjarents to
Vermillion County. lie grew to manhood
in Clinton Township, and was married to Miss
Annie Morris, her father, Samuel Morris,
being one of the pioneers of the county.
They were the parents of ten children, four
sons and six daughters, all living but one
daughter, and are residents of Vermillitm
County. Charles Porter died in 1878, his
wife having died four years previous. Will-
iam L. Porter, the subject of this sketch, is a
native of Vermillion County, born in Clinton

Township, in the year 1848. His father
being a farmer he was reared on the farm, but
subsequently learned the trade of a carpenter,
and his general occupation has been that of a
carpenter and bridge builder. He has met
with success in all his undertakings, and is
now the owner of a fine farm in Clinton
Township. For his wife he married Miss
Susan E. Clark, who was born in Clinton
Township, Vermillion County, a daughter of
James Clark. Mrs. Porter died March 15,
1886, leaving three children — John W., Essie
E. and Byron E. In his political views Mr.
Porter affiliates with the Republican party,
casting his first presidential vote for U. S.
Grant in 1872. In the fall of 1884 he was
elected to the office of county treasurer as
successor to Henry Peters, and in the fall of
1886 he was re-elected, and has proved him-
self to be an efficient and trustworthy official
in all respects, and by his honorable dealings
he has gained the confidence and respect of
the entire community.

UCIEN R. WHIPPLE, patent right
jnt, Eugene, was boi'n in Licking
•'^'' County, Ohio, February 6, 1834, a son
of Enoch Whipple who was a native of Ver-
mont, and a son of Amiali Whipple. The
latter was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
and a brother of William and Abraham
Whipple, the former a signer of the Declara-
tion of Independence, and the latter a soldier
in the war of the Revolution. Lucien R.
Whipple, t::e subject of this sketch, was
brought by his parents to Logansport, Indi-
ana, in 1839, and to this county in 1840, in
which year they settled in Eugene. In 1856
he went to Vinton, Iowa, returning to this
county in 18G0. He enlisted in the late civil
war in Compau}' K, Seventy-first Indiana

BIOGRAPHICAL SKELGHES.

343 t

Iiiftintry, afterward known as -the Sixth Cav-
ali-y, and while in the service participated in
twenty-nine engagements, including the bat-
tles of Richmond, Nashville, Stoneman Eaid,
Murfreesboi'o, Buzzard lloost, Resaca and
Allatoona Pass. He was captured by Mor-
gan's men, but soon after paroled and ex-
changed. Mr. Whipple was married October
26, 1856, to Miss Sarah Sheward, a daughter
of Ezekiel Shewai-d, and to them were born
six children, four of whom are yet living —
James E., Edward G., Frank M. and Mrs.
Anna M. Fultz. In politics Mr. Whipple
affiliates with the Republican party. Mrs.
Whijjple is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church.

fHARLES B. KNOWLES, one of the
substantial citizens of Clinton, has been
actively identified with the interests of
that city since 1860, in which year he and
his brother, James E. Knowles, established
their residence there. Each own and occupy
a very fine residence in the same neighbor-
hood, and together are owners of valuable
city property and real estate, beside 320 acres
outside the city. Charles B. Knowles was
born in Vanderburg County, Indiana, on the
parental homestead, eight miles north of
Evansville, January 11, 1827, the eldest son
of Charles and Mary Ann (Maidlow) Knowles,
who were of English birth, the father born in
Kent, England, December 14, 1801, and the
mother born in Hampshire. The ancestors
of the Knowles family came from Normandy
with William the Conqueror, and fought at
the battle of Hastings. Charles Knowles,
the grandfather of our subject, came from
England, and settled with his family in Van-
derburg County, Indiana, in 1817. He died
in 1835. His widow survived him several

years, and died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
at the home of her daughter Mrs. Joseph
Woodwell. The maternal grandfather of our
subject, James Maidlow, left England with
his family, and settled in Vanderburg County
shortly after the war of 1812, where he died
in March, 1852, in his eigiity-eighth year.
Charles Knowles and Mary Ann Maidlow
M-ere married in Vanderburg County, where
tiiey passed the remainder of their life, and
there reared to maturity a family of eigiit
children. The first death in the family was
that of their son, Edmund M. He was born
April 29, 1837, and during the war of the
Rebellion, he was a Lieutenant in the Forty-
second Indiana Infantry, and engaged under
General Granger at the battle of Chickainan-
ga. He was taken prisoner and confined in
Libby Prison, later under fire at Charleston,
and still later at Columbia, South Carolina,
where he made his escape. He was recap-
tured, stripped of his uniform, taken out of
prison, and shot to death. The parents of
our subject began life in Vanderburg County
in limited circumstances, but by industry and
good management they acquired a good prop-
erty, and by fair and honorable dealings
gained the confidence and respect of all who
knew them. The father was liberal in his
religious views, but the mother was a member
of the Episcopal church. Charles B. Knowles,
the subject of this sketch, was reared to man-
hood on his father's farm, and the habits of
industry and economy learned in his youth
have guided him in later years. Leaving the
old home at the age of twenty-one years he
went south, and mastered the art of printing,
commencing at Carrolton, Mississippi, as
compositor. He spent eight years in south-
ern cities and towns, finding employment in
New Orleans, Natchez, Little Rock, and other
places. In 1858 he published a paper at
Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His last work at his

HISrOBT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

trade was ou the Mempliis AjJpeal. He re-
turned to Indiana late in the year 1854, and
the following year became associated with his
brother, James E., and Lnke Grant, in milling
and tlic dry goods business in Warrick Coun-
ty. Their mill, which cost $10,000, was
destroyed by tire in 1859, thus breaking up
the company. September 25, 1859, Mr.
Knowles was united in marriage in Warrick
County, to Miss Emily E. Ashle^', who was
born near Booneville, that county, October 4,
1842, a daughter of AVilliam G. and Sophia
(Bosley) Ashley. Tlieir only child, Anna,
was born June 28, 1860. She is now the
wife of Charles E. Pittman, a dental surgeon
of Evansville, Indiana. In 1860 the Knowles
brothers, in company with Arthur M. John-
son, built a flat-boat, and loading it with corn,
started in February, 1861, for the lower Mis-
sissippi markets. James E. Knowles and Mr.
Johnson returned by the last boat, leaving
for Louisville before the blockade of the river.
Charles B^ remained behind to finally close
up their business, and was detained nearly
two weeks, returning by railroad, by the way
of Nashville & Louisville from Memphis, this
then being the only route open. Politically
Mr. Knowles is of Democratic antecedents,
and he himself is classed as Independent. A
natural student, he keeps well posted on all
matters of public interest. In his religious
views he is liberal.

f|LISHA A. LACEY is a representative
L of one of the pioneer tamilies of Ver-
"^ million County, Indiaiia. His father,
James Madison Lacey, came here with his
father, James Lacey, who settled with his
family in Vermillion County in the year
1837. James Lacey, the paternal grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, was of

English ancestry, the eighth son of Eichard
Lacey, and was born in the State of New
Jersey, July 6, 1778. He married Mary
Biglow, who was born February 14, 1785, a
daughter of Nicholas Biglow, a soldier in
the war of the Eevolution. She died in Ver-
million County the 29th day of September,
1848, aged sixty-three years. In 1801 Mr.
Lacey and his wife emigrated from New Jer-
sey to the State of New York, where they
resided a number of years, and reared a fam-
ily of five children. From New York he
moved to Indiana, and settled on a farm in
Vermillion County, Highland Township, and
about two miles north of Perrysville. This
was his home until the time of his death,
which occurred while temporarily residing
with his daughter in Warren County, this
State, on the 8th day of October, 1855. He
was a man of intelligence, courageous, and
fond of adventure, and the deep forests of
central New Y'ork, abounding with wild ani-
mals, aftbrded ample opportunity for the
young and athletic pioneer to gratify his
fondness for the chase. Some of the tales of
his early adventures would adorn a page in a
history of pioneer life in the State of New
York. He and his brother, while prospect-
ing for salt, discovered the mineral springs
of Dryden, New York, known as the "Dry-
den Springs," that have since become quite a
place of resort for invalids, a large sanita-
rium having been erected there. Of his five
children who came with him to Indiana, Mar-
garet, the oldest, married Syra Aldrich, and
died in July, 1855; Esther died in Septem-
ber, 1839; Susan married Jacob Dolsen, and
died in March, 1876; James Madison, whose
history will be briefly given, and Benjamin,
the youngest, who studied medicine, became
a physician, practicing in Dallas, Edgar
County, Illinois, where he died in 1867.
James Madison Lacey was born in Toinp-

BIOGRAPHIGAL SKETCHES

kins Comity, New York, November 28,
1814. In tlie year 1837 lie accompanied
liis father to Vermillion County, Indiana,
and engaged in teaching school, having re-
ceived an academic education at Cazenovia,
New York. In 1839 he returned to New
York, and was married March 24, 1841, to
Anna Maria Albright, who was born in the
town of Dryden, New York, February 3,
1821, a daughter of Elisha Albright. Soon
after his marriage he returned to Indiana
and resumed teaching, lieing one of the early
and successful teachers of the towns of Per-
rysville and Eugene. After teaching a num-
ber of years, he settled on a j^art of the land
purchased by his fatiier, where he lived until
his death, wliich occurred March 21,18(51.
lie was one of the representative citizens dt'
VermillioiT County; he was a close reader
and well informed on all of the general topics
of the day. He was quiet and unassuming
in his manners, was a fine conversationalist
and a good speaker, expressing his views
easily and clearly, and was a valuable and in-
structive associate. In politics he was a
Democrat of a pronounced type, and was an
able advocate of tlie principles of that party.
In religious faith lie was a Universalist. Ilis
only cliiid, Elisha A. Lacey, is the ouly de-
scendant of this pioneer family who bears the
name of Lacey in Vermillion County. He
was born in Dryden, Tompkins County, New
York, February 16, 1842, his parents having
returned to their native State for a brief
j)eriod. In his infancy lie was brought to
Vermillion County, where he has spent most
of his life. In 1857 he was sent back to
Dryden, and attended the high school of that
place, graduating in 1859. On his return he
engaged in teaching for a few years, and
since tlien lias given his attention to agricul-
ture. He resides two and oiie-lialf miles
nortli of Perrysville. on a fine farm of 370

acres. He was married November 2, 1863,
to Martha Ellen Wright, who was born Octo-
ber 3, 1844, a daughter of Thomas Wright, a
pioneer of this county. They have five daugh-
ters — Lizzie, Cora, Minnie, Bertha and Grace.
In politics, Mr. Lacey, like his father, is a
Democrat, and in 1882 was the candidate of
his party for the office of liepresentative to
the State Legislature. He is a man of abil-
ity and of good address. Ilis history will be
finished by the future historian of Vermillion
County.

,vmLFKED E. NEWLIN, one of the self-
.(^\ iiiaile men of Vermillion County, cn-
~:~ -aged in tkrming and stock-raising on
section 4, Vermillion Township, is a native
of Indiana, born in Parke County, March 30,
1832. His parents, Eli and Mary (Edwards)
Newlin, were natives of North Carolina, and
among the early settlers of Indiana, locating
in Parke County in 1828. In 1833 they
came with their family to Vermillion County
and settled in Vermillion Township, where
they passed the remainder of their life. The
father became a prominent man in the county,
and for two terms held the office of sheriff.
He also served as justice of the peace a num-
ber of years. He started in life poor, but by
his persevering energy and industrious hab-
its combined with good management he suc-
ceeded well in life, and at his death left an
estate of 300 acres. He often went security
for a friend, and in almost ever}' instance was
obliged to pay the amount himself. He was
a man of sterling worth, honest and upright
in all his dealings, and was universally re-
spected. He died in 1872, aged seventy
years. His widow survived until 1886, dying
at the ad\anced age of eighty years. They
reared two children — V. Ii-eua, wlio is now

L^.

msTonr of vermillion countt.

deceased, and Alfred R., the subject of this
sketch. Alfred R. Newlin has always fol-
lowed the avocation of a farmer, and from a
small beginning he has become one of the
prosperous citizens of his township. He is
now the owner of a tine farm containing 600
acres, his land being well improved and well
cultivated. Mr. Newlin was married in Ver-
million County in 1852 to Miss Elvira Hud-
son, a native of Ohio, born in 1831, and a
daughter of David and Margaret Hudson.
They have had ten children born to them, of
whom eight are yet living — Elvira and Al-
raira (twins), the former married to Willis
Asbury, and has seven children, and the lat-
ter the wife of George Carnack, and has
three children ; Achsah, wife of Frank Car-
nack; Finetta, wife of AVilliam Dehaven;
Joseph, Lewis, Robert and Clendore, living
at home with their parents. Eli and Mary
F. are the names of those deceased. Mr.
Newlin is an active and public-spirited citi-
zen, and in every movement calculated to
beneiit his toM'nship or county he always
manifests a deep interest. Quiet, unassum-
ing in his manners, and strictly honorable,
he has gained the respect of all who know
him.

ONROE G. HOSFORD, a member
cif the Eugene Milling Company at
~: ^ Cayuga, is a native of Vermillion
County, Indiana, born in Eugene, February
4, 1845, a son of Philo Ilosford, of Eugene,
who was one of the early settlers of the
county. The subject of this sketch was
reared and educated in Eugene, and in 1863
he began clerking in a mercantile establish-
ment. In 1877 he engaged in mercantile
pursuits on his own account, which he con-
tinued until 1882, when he began operating

the old mill at Eugene. In 1884 he, in com-
pany with Samuel K. Todd and Eli H. Mc-
Daniel, built a large flouring-mill at the
present site of Cayuga, where tliey have es-
tablished an extensive business which is
steadily increasing. Mr. Hosford was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Simpson, a
daughter of Nicholas Simpson who is now
deceased, and they are the parents of three
children, named — Charles, Daisy and Lenore.
Mr. Ilosford is an active and public-spir-
ited citizen, and is always interested in an^^
enterprise which has for its oltject tlic ad-
vancement of his township or county. He
has served as township trustee one term, and
for [several years was notary public. Mrs.
Hosford is a member of the Presbyterian
church of Eugene.

fOHN GORDON CAMPRELL, a promi.
nent citizen of Clinton, with whose in.
terests he has been identified for many
years, is a native of Ireland, born near Pel-
fast, December 25, 1825, a son of John and
Lillie (Gordon) Campbell, both of whom were
natives of Scotland and descendants of the
old Covenanters. The Gordon's through
many generations, were the devoted adherents
and followers of the Dukes of Argyle, and of
Presbyterian faith. The parents of our sub-
ject had a family of eight children, all of
whom are living — John Gordon, the eldest,
is the subject of this sketch; William came
to America in 1848, and since 1855 has been
a resident of Clinton, this county; Andrew
lives on the home farm in Ireland, the farm
being named Bradkeel ; Mrs. Anna McLaugh-
lin and Mrs. Isabella McMillan live near the
old home; James is at the old homestead;
Sarah Ann, unmarried, and Mrs. Margaret
Baxter. The first death in the family was

i —

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

347

tliat of the father, which occurred in 1844, at
the age of forty-five years. The mother still
survives, and is living at the homestead in
Ireland at the advanced age of eighty-two
years. John G. Campbell, when twenty-one
years of age, came to the United States to
visit his uncle John Gordon, at Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, his uncle having died in 1882,
in Champaign County, Ohio. After visiting
a few months he thought it was better for
him to remain in America. Even the return
voyage was enough to deter him, having
spent six weeks and five days in the passage
over. Going to Philadelphia, where he had
relatives, he engaged as clerk, where he re-
mained as such for some time. lie then went
to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was em-
ployed in the same capacity. He was mar-
ried at Baltimore, March 2, 1852, to Miss
Matilda Elison, who was born in the same
district in Ireland as her husband, in the year
1827. They have had six children born to
them — Isabella, born December 9, 1852, liv-
ing at Terre Haute, Indiana; William G.,
born July 16, 1854, died November 8, 1859;
Mrs. Sarah Jane Reynolds, born July 2, 1858;
resides at Plainfield, Indiana; Matilda, born
November 28, 1860; John G., born May 11,
1862, is proprietor of the Nachusa Hotel at
Dixon, Illinois, and Ruth, who died in infan-
cy. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell resided in Bal-
timore until coming to Clinton in 1855. His
brother had preceded him here a short time,
and opened a drug store, which he entered as
a clerk, and finally established himself in the
same business, which he continued for a period
of twenty years. In 1861 he was appointed
postmaster of Clinton by President Lincoln,
he being the first Republican postmaster in
Vermillion County. He was reappointed to
the same ofiice in 1865, serving in that ca-
pacity eight years. Mr. Campbell has voted
the Republican ticket since the days of John

C. Fremont. Both he and his wife are con-
sistent Presbyterians in their religious belief,
adhering to the faith of their ancestors.

fOIIN E. BILSLAND, dealer in groceries
and provisions, Dana, Indiana, was born
in Covington, Indiana, May 27, 1853, a
son of John Bilsland, a resident of Ilelt
Township, who came to Vermillion County
in 1856. and settled on the old Daniel Whiza-
ker farm. John E. was reared on this farm,
remaining with his parents until twenty-two
years old. He was given good edncational
advantages, attending the common schools
and Clinton Institute. In 1875 he came to
Dana, and in 1876 embarked in business on
his own account. He carries a stock valued
at Irom $1,500 to $2,000, doing an annual
business of about $10,000, and controlling
the greater part of the trade of the town in
his line. Mr. Bilsland was mai-ried October
30, 1877, to Alice Stivers. Mr. Bilsland is
treasurer of the town of Dana, and is one of
its most prominent citizens.

-i->^J*|-

Ig^UGH H. CONLEY, one of the leading
lffl| members of the bar of Vermillion Coun-
TfsJd ty, and a prominent and influential
citizen of Newport, dates his birth in this
county, January 14, 1843, being a represent-
ative of one of the early families. His
father, Elijah M. Conley, died when he was
an infant. His mother, Nancy (Downing)
Conley, was born in the State of Delaware,
in 1798, being the only daughter of William
Downing, one of the old and honored pioneers
of Vermillion County. She is still living,
being one of the oldest persons in the county.
Elijah M, Conley and wife were thfc parents

HI8T0MT OF VERMILLION GOV NTT.

of seven children, of whom one son, Jonathan,
(lied in childhood. Of the six who grew to
maturity, five are yet living — Mary, Phosbe,
AVilliam W., Elijah P. and Hugh 11., all with
the exception of Elijah P. who lives in Owen
County, being residents of Vermillion Coun-
ty. Hugh H. Conley was reared to the
vocation of a faruier. He was a soldier in
the war of the' Kebollion, enlisting September
9, 18G2, in the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry,
and during his term of service participated
in some of the most important events of the
war. He was in the siege of Yicksburg,
after which he took part with his regiment in
Banks's Texas expedition. He re-enlisted
with his regiment, January 1, 1864, at In-
dianola, Texas, and came home on a fur-
lough. At this time a part of the Nineteenth
Corps, to which his regiment belonged, had
been transferred to the eastern army, and at
the expiration of their furlough the members
of the regiment joined General Sheridan, and
took part in the famous Shenandoah cam-
paign, participating in the battles of Win-
chester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, where
Sheridan made his famous ride. At the last
mentioned battle Mr. Conley received a severe
gunshot wound in the left leg which resulted
in his being sent to McClellan hospital near
Philadelphia, and from there transferred to
the hospital at Indianapolis, where, after
undergoing a siege of small-pox, together
with the sufferings occasioned by his wound,
he wai discharged May 24, 1865, for disa-
bility, after the war had closed, but before the
final discharge of his regiment. After the
war Mr. Conley attended school for some time,
first at Bloomingdale academy, and later at
the State Normal at Terre Haute. After
leaving school he engaged in teaching, pur-
suing at the same time tliestndy of law. He
continued to teach school until he engaged in
the practice of law in 1877, in which year he

was admitted to the bar at Newport. J. C.
Sawyer has been associated with him in the
practice of his profession since November,
1886, under the firm name of Conley & Saw-
yer, and like his pirtner Mr. Conley, is a self-
made man. Mr. Conley married Mi&s Mary
A. Saunders, a daughter of Doctor Edward
a'-.d Mary Saunders, both of whom are de-
ceased, the latter dying shortly after her
daughter's birth, and the former when she
was a mere child. Five children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Conley, of whom their
eldest, Lulu M., died in infancy. Those liv-
ing are— Paul H., Carl H., William B. and
Edith A. In politics Mr. Conley is a Repub-
lican. He held the office of superintendent
of schools of Vermillion County for three
years, at the end of which time he resigned
that position to take the office of prosecuting
attorney, a position he creditably tilled for
four years. Mr. Conley is a member of the
Odd Fellows order, and is a comrade of Shiloh
Post, G. A. R, at Newport.

fAxMES E. KNOWLES, a prominent and
enterprisingcitizenofClinton,Vermil]ion
County, was born at the family home-
stead in Scott Township, Vanderburg County,
Indiana, December 28, 1830. His parents,
Charles and Mary Ann (Maidlow) Knowles,
were natives of England, and when young
were brought to America by their respective
parents, who settled in Vanderburg County
in its pioneer days. Tlie subject was reared
to a farm life, and was early inured to hard
work, but the lessons of persevering industry
learned in those days, have been of lasting
benefit to him. Being of an adventurous
spirit, Mr. Knowles, in company with others,
chartered a steamer in 1852, and loading the
same with os, teams and provisions embarked

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

349

tor St. Josepli, Missouri, and from tliere
went overland to California, leaving the
Missouri River May 27, and reaching their
destination August 25. They immediately
engaged in placer mining, which they
followed successfully nearly three years. Mr.
Knowles returned via the Nicaraugua route,
reaching home July 3, 1855. In 1856 he in
company with his brother, Charles B., and
Luhc Grant, engaged in the milling and dry
goods business in Warrick County, and
erected a mill at a cost of $10,000. In the
spring of 1859 the mill was destroyed by fire
and tiie company was pi-actically bankrupted.
In the fall of 1860 the brothers in company
with Arthur McJohnson, raised means from
their friends, and built a flat-boat which they
loaded with 5,600 bushels of corn, and in
February," 1861, started for the Lower Missis-
sippi River markets. They reached Memphis
the day after the inaugural message of Presi-
dent Lincoln was received, and there found
the excitement intense. They disposed of
tlieir cargo, and received in settlement checks
on New Orleans banks. They were so
fortunate as to sell all their corn and even
the boat, and to get their checks cashed only
the day before the banks of New Orleans
suspended payment. Mr. Knowles made the
return trip to Louisville, Kentucky, on the
steamer Autocrat, the last boat passing
between those points until the opening of the
Mississippi River after the war, permitting
it again in the language of President Lincoln
to " pass unvexed to the sea." The same
season, 1861, Mr. Knowles and his brother
established a grocery at Clinton. In 1862
they raised at a great profit, twenty acres of
tobacco on rented land, and the next year
they raised a still larger crop. In the spring
of 1861 they bouglit eighty acres of land at
$25 per acre, adjoining the city plat, and by
platting an addition, and selling lots they

have realized a large profit. They also
bought 174 acres across the Wabash River at
$10 per acre, which has proved a profitable
investment. The brothers each own a very
fine residence, and are near neighbors. Mr.
James was first married in Vanderburgh
County, Indiana, December 15, 1859, to Miss
Pluma Wilcox, of Evansville. She was born
near Wellington, Ohio, in 1835, and being
left an orphan at an early age, slie was
reared by Doctor Wilcox, of Evansville. Her
only living child, Morton E., was born A[)ril
24, 1862. He is a graduate of the American
Veterinary Institute of New York City, and
has now a lucrative and increasing practice at
Terre Haute. September 25, 1884, Mr.
Knowles married Miss Delia Elliot, a native
of Indiana, born in Knox Township, Septem-
ber 25, 1848, a daughter of Virgil Homer
and Caroline (Marks) Elliott. Both of her
parents are deceased, her father dying Octo-
ber 8, 1880, aged sixty-eight, and her mother
October 9, 1885, aged sixty-one years. In
politics Mr. Knowles is an Independent,
though of Republican antecedents.

l.^w^.

I^ENRY STURN, an active and enterpris-
1K) ^"S agriculturist, engaged in farming
"ifSli on section 26, Helt Townshiji, was born
in Wurtemberg, Germany, the date of his birth
being September 4, 1835. He was reared in
his native country, and in the spring of 1854
he came to America. He first settled in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he
spent two years. He then spent one year in
Butler County, Ohio, and in 1857 came to
Vermillion County, where he worked as a
hired hand for one year. He then rented
land and by industry and good management
he was successful in his farming pursuits, and
by tlie assistance of his noble iind excellent

liL'lpmeet he has become the owner of his
present fine farm containing 160 acres of
choice land. He was married December 12,
1859, to Miss Margaret "VV. Parsons, a daugh-
ter of William Parsons, who is now deceased,
she being a native of Illinois, born in Edgar
County, October 20, 1840. They are the
parents of eight children — George W., Mary
I., John U., Harry C, Hattie 11., Edgar W.,
Frederick and Charles. Mr. Sturn is a
member of the Masonic order, in which he
takes an active interest. Two of his sons,
George and John, are also members of Dana
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which George is
Master. The father of our subject, John
George Sturn, came to the United States in
1872, and died in AVashington Territory in
1877.

fANIEL EUNYON, residing two miles
north of Perrysville, is one of the old-
est men in Highland Township, and
among the most respected citizens of Yer-
million County. He is a native of Kentucky,
born in Mason County, July 31, 1802, being
reared to manhood in his native county. His
father, David L. Eiinyon, was born in New
Jersey, emigrating from that State to Ken-
tucky, where he lived until his death. He
was the father of five sons and six daughters,
of whom two sons and three daughters are
living at the present time — Daniel, our sub-
ject; David, who lives in Fleming County,
Kentucky, on the old homestead, and the
daughters are also residents of Kentucky.
Daniel Kunyon, whose name heads this
sketch, came to Indiana in 1858, and located
at West Lebanon, where he kept a hotel one
year. He was then engaged in the same
business about a year at . Attica, and from
there removed to Williamsport, where he

lived two years. He then came to Yermill-
ion County, and kept hotel at Perrysville
one year, when he removed to Mound Prairie,
Warren County, where he followed agricul-
tural pursuits for eight years. In 18G5 he
returned to Yermillion County, and settled
on the place where he has since made his
hom'e. His wife, whose maiden name was
Jane Marshall, died March 27, 1876. Of the
eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Run-
3'ou only four are living — John, Daniel,
James, born August 27, 1844, now living on
thfe old homestead with his father, and Mary,
also living at home. Seven children are de-
ceased — LeRoy died in his twenty-second
year; William died aged about twenty years;
Doll}', deceased wife of Fi'ancis Florida, and
Martha, deceased wife of Elijah Lowe, and
three who died in childhood. Martha, the
infant daughter of his daughter Martha, was
reared in the home of Mr. Runyon. ISIr.
Runyon, as was his wife, is a consistent mem-
ber of the Baptist church.

ILLIAM NICHOLS, deceased, was
born in Yermillion County, Indiana,
May 3, 1885, a son of William and
Rhoda (Martin) Nichols, natives of Yirginia
and North Carolina, respectively, and early
settlers of Yermillion County, where they
spent the last years of their lives. They had
a family of thirteen children, but four of
whom are living. William Nichols was reared
a farmer and followed that vocation all his
life. Although poor when he started for
himself, he was successful and at his death
left a good farm of 115 acres. He was mar-
ried November 30, 1856, to Jane, daughter
of Payton and Anna (Campbell) Merriinan.
To them were born four children — Brenton,
Elma, Oscar and Edgar. Brenton married

BIOORAPHIGAL SKETCHES.

Laura Zeller, and lias two children — Clara A.
and Geneva, and Oscar married Amanda Cur-
tis. Mr. Nichols died in 1875. He was a
member of the United Brethren church, and
an honored citizen of the township. His
widow resides on the old homestead. She is
also a memher of the United Brethren church.

:iLLIAM L. MOBEY, of the " Morey
Company," dealers in drugs, grocer-
ies and notions, Clinton, Indiana,
was born in that city September 20, 1854, a
son of Benjamin F. and Sarah (Wishard)
Morey. Benjamin F. Morey was one of the
prominent and influential citizens of Clinton,
where all his manhood life was spent, and
who for thirty-four years was identiiied with
its material and social interests. He was
born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1828, and in
1848 located in Clinton, where for about
twenty-iive years he worked at the black-
smith's trade. In 1S73 he embarked in the
grocery business, building up a large trade.
In June, 187G, he sold out his stock of
groceries, taking a two months vacation,
when, in August, he purchased a drug store,
admitting his son William L. as a partner.
They added jewelry, books and notions to the
drug stock, and in 1884 also added a stock of
groceries. He was married in 1852 to Mrs.
Sarah I. (Wishard) Bogart, the M'idow of
Henry Bogart, who died in 1846, leaving one
child, John II., who is now a prominent
physician of Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs.
Morey were borji two children — William L.
and Frank, wife of Dr. Charles M. White, of
Clinton. B. F. Morey died October 10, 1885,
from a stroke of appoplexy. He was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He
was a prominent Mason, a member of Jerusa-
lem Lodge, at Clinton and Terre Haute

Chapter, and also of Amant Lodge, I. O. O. F.
In politics he was a staunch supporter of the
Bepublican party. He was a public-spirited,
upright man and left an honorable name as
the inheritance of his children. He was a
careful business man and accumulated a com-
fortable property. William L. Morey has
spent his life in Clinton, where his primary
education was received, but later attended
Wabash College, from which he graduated in
1876. Immediately after his leaving school
he entered into partnership with his father,
the firm name then becoming B. F. Morey &
Son, which has been changed since his father's
death to The Morey Company. He has a
good business, his annual sales amounting to
about $20,000, and is numbered among the
prosperous young merchants of the county.
He is one of the prominent Republicans of
the younger class, and in the campaign of
1880 was chairman of the Clinton Township
Committee. He is serving his second term
as mayor of Clinton, as chairman of the
Board of Trustees' by courtesy is called. He
was married October 25, 1882, to Miss Clara
Swinehart, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana,
born September 8, 1860, a daughter of B. H.
and Ann (Palmer) Swinehart. They have
two children — Lois and Benjamin F.

fOSIAII C. JACKSON, one of the lead-
ing business men of Hillsdale, was born
in Helt Township, Yermillion County,
Indiana, November 30, 1843, a son of John
and Lydia (Short) Jackson, the father being
a native of Kentucky. He was one of the
early pioneers of this county, settling right
in the woods of Helt Township in 1832,
v.-liere he built a small log cabin in which he
lived many years. He died on the land on
which he first settled, April 3, 1853. He

was the father of seventeen children, nine of
whom grew to maturity. Josiah C. Jackson,
whose name heads this sketcli, was reai-ed on
the home farm, and received such educational
advantages as the subscription schools of that
early day aflbrded, attending schools taught
in log cabins with puncheon floors, clapboard
roofs and slab seats. During the late war he
enlisted in Company D, Eighty-fifth Indiana
Infantry, remaining in the service of his
country almost three years. Among the en-
gagements in which lie participated may be
mentioned the battles of Resaca, Lost Moun-
tain, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree
Creek. lie was taken sick after the last
mentioned battle, which was the last engage-
ment in which he took part. He returned to
his home in Vermillion County and engaged
in farming. November 6, 1867, he was
married to Miss Priscilla C. Shane, daughter
of James D. Shane, of Effingham County,
Illinois. They are the parents of eight chil-
dren — James C, Lela, Ida B., Ira E., Cyrus,
Bertha, Adaline and Ethel C. Mr. Jackson
engaged in his general mercantile business
in 1883, and now carries a capital stock of
$3,000, doing an annual business of §5,000,
and also deals extensively in stock and grain.
He still lives on his farm, where he is en-
gaged in farming and stock-raising. His
farm contains 120 acres of fine land, and is
located on section 4, Helt Township. In
politics Mr. Jackson is a staunch Itepublican,
but never seeks official honors. He is a
member of the .Grand Army of the Eepublic,
and takes an active interest iu that organiza-
tion.

tOBEET B. SEARS, one of the leading
citizens of Vermillion, is the present
State Senator of the district comprising
Parke and Vermillion counties, being elected

on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1886,
receiving a majority of 623 votes over his
opponent, Joseph L. Boyd. He is a son of
George H. Sears, who was born in Harrison
County, Indiana, in August, 1818, coming
to Vermillion County with his father, Jacob
Sears, when a boy. Jacob Sears was a native
of North Carolina, removing thence to Ken-
tucky, and from there to Harrison County,
Indiana. On coming to Vermillion County
he settled in Vermillion Township, three
miles southwest of Newport, where he cleared
and improved a farm, on which he resided
until his deatli. George Sears was one of
the representative citizens of Vermillion
County, and long one of the prominent mer-
chants of Eugene. In 1854 he was elected
treasurer of the county, but died before his
first term expired, although not before he
had received the nomination for a second
term, the date of his death being July 30,
1856. He left at his death a widow and
three sons, all living at the present time but
his youngest son, George 0., who died at the
age of eighteen years. Robert B. Sears,
whose name heads this sketch, was the eldest
sou in his father's family, and wa; born in
Eugene, Vermillion County, January 6, 1844.
He was about twelve years old when his
father died, and alter his death the family re-
turned to the homestead farm. At the age
of eighteen years our subject enlisted in
Company I, Forty-third Indiana Infantry,
and after serving in the ranks about a year
and a half he was promoted to Orderly Ser-
geant, and soon after to First Lieutenant, and
June 24, 1865, he was mustered out as Cap-
tain of his company. He was constantly in
active service, and participated in all the en-
gagements in which the Forty-third took
part, and during the last twenty months of
his service he commanded his company.
After the war he was engaged as clerk iu a

iagBftW»M , M « IB a.W,W » M « M « M _M«W_ g _W» »E»SMan»5iWS

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

wholesale clotliiiig store. In 18G8 he re-
turned to Veniiillioii County, and hegan the
study of law with the law tirm of Eggleston
& Harvey, and in 1870 was admitted to the
bar at Newport. In 1872 he was elected
prosecuting attorney for the counties of Parke,
Yerinillion, Vigo and Sullivan, serving as
such two years. In 1881 he was elected
assistant secretary of the State Senate, and in
January, 1883, received an appointment as
clerk in the Treasury department at Washing-
ton, D. C, but on reaching that city he was
transferred to the Pension and Interior de-
partment, lie resigned this position six
months later, and returned to his home in
Newport and resumed his law practice. In
1884 he was elected to the lower branch of
the Genera] Assembly of Indiana, and, as
above stated, became State Senator in 1886,
in wliich position he is serving with credit
to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
Mr. Sears was united in marriage, March 20,
1870, to Miss Ivy Aston, a daughter of lire
Aston, who was a prominent merchant in the
early history of Newport. He died in 1863.
Four children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Sears, of whom three died in early in-
fancy. Claud, their only surviving child,
was born February 29, 1873.

flllLO HOSFORD, one of the early
pioneers of Eugene Township, is a
.'^, native of Ontario County, New York,
born September 18, 1811, a sou of Ambrose
llosford, a native of Connecticut. The father
removed to Dearborn County, Indiana, with
his family in 1821, settling in Lawrenceburg,
and died near there in 1824. Philo llosford
came with his twin brothei-, Milo, to Craw-
fordsville in 1832, and in the spring of 1833
to Euaene, wiiere he has since made his

home. He was married November 4, 1841,
to Miss Evaline Wigley, a daughter of Joseph
Wigley, and of the six cliildren born to this
union three are yet living — Monroe C, llich-
ard AV". and Eliza. One son, Charles C, and
a daughter, Naomi, died after reaching ma-
turity. Mrs. llosford died June 18, 1883.
She was a member of the Presbyterian church.
Milo llosford, twin brother of our subject,
was married the November following his ar-
rival in the county, to Miss Maria Holtz, and
to them were born two children — Henry H.,
and Lucy, now the wife of Prof. David
Meade, of Danville, Illinois. Mr. Milo llos-
ford lived at Eugene until his death, which
occurred January 22, 1880. He was a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
one of the most respected men of Vermillion
County.

mOMER LUSADDER, residing on section
fml 22, Highland Township, is one of the
=^(1 representative citizens of Vermillion
County. His father, John Lusadder, settled on
the i)lace now occupied by the subject of this
sketch, in 1856. He was born in Ohio,
December 18, 1819. He resided many years
in Fountain County, Indiana, before settling
in Vermillion County, and was married while
a resident of the former county, to Mrs. Sarah
Ann (Beers) Prevost, who was born April 1,
1817, and died July 13, 1867. To them
were born six children, two of whom are
deceased. The names of those yet living are
— Snowdon, Homer, John and Franklin.
John Lusadder married for his second wife.
Miss Mary J. Nal)ors, and to this union a
daughter, named Lura, was born. He died
April 4, 1872, in his iifty-third year. His
widow still survives. Homer Lusadder, whose
name heads this sketch, is a native of Foun-

^5!

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

tail! County, Indiana, the date of his birth
being March 17, 1853. He was about three
years of age wlien bronglit by his parents to
this county, where he lias since lived. His
father being a farmer, he was reared to the
same occupation, becoming a thorough, prac-
tical agriciilturist. He now owns and occupies
the homestead farm which contains 150 acres
of well improved and highly cultivated land.

-^ • 2 <' IV

tUGH DALLAS, deceased, was one of
the well known pioneers of Yermillion
County. He was born in Knox County
Ohio, in 1813, a son of Alexander and Sarah
Dallas. He commenced life in moderate
circumstances. He came to Vermillion
County in 1840, and bought a large amount
of land which increased in value and at the
time of his death he was one of the wealthies
men in Yermillion Township. He was an
honorable, upright business man and gained
the confidence and esteem of all with whom
he had any deal. He died September 17,
1875, leaving a large number of friends to
mourn his loss and his memory is revered by
all who knew him, especially the old settlers
who remember his many kindly acts and
hearty assistance in their times of need. Mr.
Dallas was married inOhio County, Yirginia,
in the year 1834, to Miss Sarah Hardesty,
who was bom in Knox County, Ohio, in
1815. To them were born nine children,
eight of whom lived till maturity, and five
are now living. The children in order of
their birth are as follows — Mary C. T.,
deceased; Spencer H., Hugh A., deceased;
iam Henry Harrison, Sarah E., Mrs.

Yirginia C. Hain, deceased; Martha J., wife
of James Chips; Euth A. and an infant son,
deceased. James Chips and wife have had
born to them seven children — Mary, Lura,

William Spencer, Samuel, and three who
died in infancy. They reside in Newport.

fOSHUA LEWIS, general merchant,
Cayuga, is a native of Yermillion Coun-
ty, Indiana, born in Highland Township,
January 1, 1843, a son of James J. Lewis, a
native of Maryland, who settled in Highland
Township in 1837, where he still resides.
Our subjeet was reared to the avocation of a
farmer, and his education was received prin-
ci])ally in the Perrysville graded school. He
subsequently engaged in teaching school,
which he followed for fifteen years, teaching
seven years in Ciierokee County, Kansas. He
served two years in the late war in Company
II, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, and during
his term of service participated in the battle
of Fort Hatteras, the seven days in front of
Eichmond, and other engagements. He also
witnessed the fight between the Monitor and
the Merrimac. March 30, 1865, he was
married to Miss Marinda Harrison, a daugh-
ter of Thomas II. Harrison, one of the old
pioneers of this county, who made his way up
the Wabash from Yincennes l)y poling a flat-
Ijoat. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of
five children — Frank E., Cassie, Henry W.,
Marinda E. and William J. Mr. Lewis
engaged in the mercantile business at Gessie,
this county, in 1881. He established his
present business at Cayuga in 1886, removing
his family to this place in June, 1887. He
is now associated in business with his son
Frank who is also assistant postmaster. They
carry a full line of dry-goods, groceries, pro-
visions, glass and queeusware, their capital
stock being valued at $3,500, and their annu-
al sales amounting to about $8,000. While
living in Kansas Mr. Lewis lacked but two
votes of being elected Probate J udge on the

-?"?""""* " T«''*'' " ''"''«* ° *« " «' ""'''«"« "-" " * " "-'*»"»"«'^ ■= ■■•■ ■ '■-*'«'°'^ °^^ ^*'"^

BtOORAPHtCAL SKMTCHES.

355

fiepublican ticket, and at the same election
tlie county went 300 majority for Greeley for
President. In politics he still affiliates with
the Republican party. He is a member of
the Grand Anny of the Eepublic. Both he
and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and respected members of
society.

ftLlVER P. M. PONTON, engaged in
j| farming on section 2, Helt Township,
> is a worthy representative of an old and
honored pioneer family who settled in Ver-
million County in the early days of the
county. He was born on the family home-
stead in Helt Township, one-half mile from
his present residence, the date of his birth be-
ing December 23, 1861, and is a son of the
late John Ponton, who was born near Chilli-
cothe, Ohio, being brought to this county
when but four years of age. The father be-
ing a farmer, our subject M-as reared to the
same avocation, which he has made his life
work. He received his education in the
common schools of the county. He was
united in marriage September 30, 1885, to
Miss Mary A. Amos, a daughter of William
H. Amos, a resident of Montezuma, Indiana,
and to this union one child has been born,
named John W., who died at the age of six
months. Mrs. Ponton is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church at Montezuma.

4EWIS 11. BECK MAN, engaged in the
llt/F S'''^c®ry business at Clinton, and one of
""„-- the active and enterprising businessmen
of the town, is a native of Vermillion County,
Indiana, born November 16, 1841. His par-
ents, Henry and Mary Beckinan, were born.

reared and married in Germany, coming to
the United States soon after their marriage.
They landed at New Orleans, where they
formed the acquaintance of James Davis,
whose home was near Newport, Vermillion
County. The father was a blacksmith by
trade, and being induced to come to this
county, he followed that avocation in Ver-
million Township until a short time before
his death, which occurred in 1844. His wife
had died the year before. Lewis H. Beck-
man, whose name heads this sketch, believes
himself to be the only living representative
of his branch of the family in America. His
brother, John, who was born while his par-
ents were at New Orleans, shortly after their
arrival in America, died at the age of twelve
years. After the death of his parents, the
subject of this sketch found a good home
with the family of James L. "Wishard, of
Helt Township. He received such educa-
tional advantages as the district schools of
that early day aiforded. In June, 1862,
while in his twenty-first year, he volunteered
in defense of the Union, enlisting in Company
A, Seventy-first Indiana Infantry. August
31 his regiment was in battle at Ilichmond,'
Kentucky, and in that engagement Mr. Beck-
man was shot through the left leg. Many of
the unhurt of his regiment were captured and
paroled, and all of the wounded, Mr. Beck-
man with those paroled, being sent North,
and soon after recovered from the effects of
his wound. The regiment was exchanged,
and was again in the field before the close of
the year 1862, and several months following
was engaged in guarding rebel prisoners at
Indianapolis. In the summer of 1863 tlie
regiment was recruited and reorganized, and
became known as the Si.xth Indiana Cavalry.
During the operations at and around Knox-
ville in the winter of 1863-'64 the regiment
made part of General Burnside's force. At

the opening of General Sherman's campaign
against General Johnston's rehel army which
culminated in the capture of Atlanta, the
Sixth Indiana Cavalry joined the former at
Buzzards' Eoost, Georgia, and did hard work
and gallant service during that campaign.
The regiment also took part in the ill-starred
raid of General Stoneman at Sun Shine
Church, south of Atlanta, where many were
killed, wounded and taken prisoners. Among
the latter was Mr. Beckman, who was shot
through the left thigh, and his sufferings from
this serious wound were rendered more than
ordinarily severe by lack of proper care. For
four weeks he was confined in Macon, Geor-
gia, over one month at Andersonville, and at
Charleston and Florence four and a half
months. He was finally paroled and returned
to his home. After being exchanged, April
19,1865, he rejoined his regiment at Pulaski,
Tennessee, and in June, 1865, he received an
honorable discharge from the army, after
which he returned to A^ermillion County and
engaged in agricultural pursuits. September
10, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss
Laura E. Crane, a native of Vermillion
County, born in Helt Township, April 26,
1853, a daughter of Carlton Crane. Mr. and
Mrs. Beckman made their home in Helt
Township until he was elected to the office
of county sheriff' in October, 1872, when he
moved to Newport. He was re-elected to the
same office, serving in that capacity four years,
and in 1876 returned to his farm in Helt
Township. He remained on his farm until
the spring of 1884, when he removed to
Clinton. In January, 1885, he established
his present grocery business, and by his
genial and accommodating manners, and
strict attention to the wants of his customers
he has built up a good trade, his sales amount-
ing to over $13,000 per annum. In politics
Mr. Beckman is a Republican, and is promi-

nent in the councils of his parly. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a
member also of Owen Post, No. 329, G. A.
R., and in 1887 he was elected commander
of the post. Both he and his wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Four children have been born to them, of
whom three are living, named Alice, Charles
and Bay. Their third child, Lena Belle, died
at the age of nine months.

fOIIN W. BARRETT, of Newport, is a
representative of one of the pioneer fami-
lies of Indiana. His father. Rev. Robert
Parrett, was born in England, February 1-4,
1791, and was married in 1814 to Martha
Mason. In 1816 they sailed from Hull,
England, and after a voyage of ninety days
landed in New York. They spent a few
weeks in New Jersey, then came west and
located near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and two
years later removed to Vincennes, where they
lived about a year. In the meantime he
entered eighty acres of land in Posey County,
to which he removed, and built a log cabin,
making his home there six years. In De-
cember, 1824, he moved to Evansville and
bought forty-five acres near that city, and
several years later, bought 160 acres adjoin-
ing, and of this made a homestead, living on
it until his death in 1859. His wife survived
him about ten years. A part of his land is
now included in the site of Evansville, and is
known as Parrett's addition. Mr. Parrett
was a Christian gentleman, and the founder
of Methodism in Evansville, and a memorial
window has been placed in Trinity church,
that city, in his honor. He was a successful
business man, acquiring considerable wealth,
which he used freely in the support of tlie
Gospel and all worth}' enterprises. He was

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

one of the founders of the old State Bank of
Indiana, which atterward became the Evaus-
ville National Bank, and was one of its direc-
tors for many years. At his death lie left a
record of which his descendants may well be
])roud. He was not a man of liberal ediica-
tion, bnt of great natural ability, and was
always greatly interested in the canse of
edncation, and was one of ten who gave $1,000
each toward the founding of Asbury College
at Greencastle, Indiana. He and his wife
were the parents of ten children who grew to
maturity, all of whom became worthy and
influential citizens. Three sons and two
daughters are yet living, Jolm W. being the
eldest of this number. The second son. Rev.
Richard M. Parrett, is a citizen of Patoka,
Indiana, and William F. is judge of the First
Judicial Cfrcuit, his residence being at
Evansville. Jane is the wife of Hon. Alvah
Johnson, of Evansville, and Eva M. is the wife
of Hon. Union Bethel, of Newburg, Warren
County, Indiana. The eldest of the family,
Mary A., was born on the ocean while the
parents were en route for America. She
became the wife of Hon. John S. Hopkins,
and died at their homestead in Evansville
in 1885. The third son, Robert, was a
siiccessiul attorney, a graduate of Asbury
College, and at one time a member of tlve
State Legislature. He was Major of the One
Hundredth Indiana Infantry, and was killed
at Yicksburg in 18G3. The youngest son,
Joseph B., died at the age of thirty years,
and Mrs. Martha Roberts and Mi-s. Sarah
Reed, died several years ago. John W. Par-
rett, whose name heads this sketch, was born
at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, August 10, 1818,
and was reared at Evansville from his sixth
year. He joined the Methodist church when
twenty years of age, and in 1842 entered the
work of the ministry, and for nineteen years
was a member of the Indiana Conference.

He was then granted a location and settled on
a farm in Yermillion County which he had
bought in 1850. Although not in the regular
work of the ministry he is always ]-eady to
aid the cause of Christianity, and has many
calls which he is glad to answer, to fill neigh-
boring pulpits and perform other duties de-
volving on a Christian minister. From the
De Pauw Advocate we learn that he was
present at a meeting of the Northwest Con-
ference held at Greencastle, Indiana, when
tlie report of the committee on education
showed a lack of about $5,500 on the amount
assumed by the Conference on the De Pauw
fund. The first meeting of the lay and cleri-
cal conterences failed to raise the amount by
$1,500. Colonel Ray delivered a long speech,
followed by Doctor John in a short, compact
speech, and then came the prince of beggars.
Bishop Bowman, but the Bishop seemed to
have lost his grip or the contract was too
much for him. Things were dragging and
failure seemed inevitable when Rev. John AY.
Parrett, then a local preacher from Newport,
arose in the back part of the room, and strode
forward in an awkward way, and began as
nobody else could, to talk, taking the manage-
ment of the meeting abruptly out of the hands
of the Bishop, and by volleys of wit and
wisdom, of anecdote, and sayings, wise and
otherwise, now eloquent, now pathetic, and at
times ludicrous beyond description, he man-
aged to raise the last $1,500. Mr. Parrett
was first married to Miss Elizabeth W. Mick,
a daughter of Judge John Mick, and to them
were born three children — Richard W., Ed-
mund J., w-ho died at the age of nineteen
years, and John W., who died aged seventeen
years. Mrs. Parrett died in December, 18-43,
and in March, 1850, Mr. Parrett was again
married to Miss Lydia Zener, a daughter of
Adam Zener, one of the substantial men of
Newport, and founder of the Methodist church

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

of tliis town. To this union two children
have been born, named Eobert A. and Martha
E. In politics Mr. Parrett is a pronounced

Republican.

fHOMAS KIBBY has been a resident of
Clinton Township since 1830, and for
many years one of its active and ener-
getic citizens. He was born in Clarke Coun-
ty, Indiana, February 8, 1810, a son of Lucius
Kibby, a New Englander by birth. AVhen
young the father visited Canada, where he
was seized and pressed into the British army,
and was compelled to serve a short time be-
fore he found an opportunity to escape and
return to his home in New England. He
was a son of Amariah Kibby, a ship carpen-
ter by trade, which he also learned in early
life and became proficient in all kinds of
wood- work. He worked for a time at Fort
Pitt, now Pittsburgh, and there built a fiat-
boat for himself, and with his family passed
down the river to Fort Washington, now Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, thence to the Falls of the Ohio,
in Clarke Comity, where Thomas Kibby was
born. Being of an adventurons spirit, he
volunteered and fought under General Harri-
son at the battle of Tippecanoe, November 5,
1811. During his residence in Clarke Coun-
ty the Indians were hostile, and many an ad-
venture and narrow escape he and his family
had with them. In 1814 he moved his fam-
ily to the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee,
where he was engaged as a builder three
years, and was defrauded of nearly $3,000
due on contract work, by his employer. In
1817 he left Tennessee, coming to Indiana,
when he settled with his family near Terre
Haute, in the AVabash Valley. He erected,
under contract, the first frame buildincf at
Teric Haute. In 1818 he removed to Parke

County, Indiana, where he cleared a farm
from the forest, remaining there a few years,
when he went to Clark County, Illinois, and
from there to Dubuque County, Iowa, where
he lived until his death, at the advanced agf
of eighty-five years. Thomas Kibby, whose
name heads this sketch, was the youngest of
his four children, and is the only one now
living. When he was quite young his mother
died, and although his father mai-ried again,
he hardly had a home. His schooling was
very limited, and the care and advantages so
common to the boys of to-day were denied
him. At the age of thirteen years he left his
father's home and began the battle of life for
himself, and his lessons were well learned in
the school of experience. He early in life
became a self-reliant man, strong both men-
tally and physically. Like many of the ad-
venturous yonth of those years, he became a
boatman, making his first trip to New Or-
leans at the age of eighteen years. In 1831
he became a pilot, and began with increased
wages to save money. He has made over
sixty trips to New Orleans. August 4, 1833,
he was married to Miss Jane Yannest, who
was born in Ohio, August 6, 1812, and who
died March 20, 1880. Her lather, John Van-
nest, was the first settler of Vermillion Coun-
ty, having settled on section 9, Clinton
Township, as early as 1816. To Mr. and
Mrs. Kibby were born eight children, as fol-
lows — John and Martin died in infancy;
Isaac, living near his father; Sarah Jane died
aged ten years; Elizabeth died aged twelve
years; Stuart died in infancy; Thomas A.,
residing with his father, and Susan W., wlio
was a school-teacher, died aged twenty-three
years. Thomas A. was a soldier in the war
of the Eebellion, enlisting October 9, 1861,
and was in the service of his country for
three years. March 12, 1882, he was united
in marriage to Miss Josie Lyday, a native of

- I (,

BIOOBAPHIGAL SKETCHES.

Vermillion County, born December 16, 1858,
and they are tlie parents of two children —
John Vannest and Jane. Since he aban-
doned flat-boating, Mr. Kibby has devoted
his attention to agricultural pursuits. He
has occupied his present farm on section 9,
Clinton Township, since 1862. The home-
stead is located one mile north of Clinton,
and contains ninety acres of choice land, and
is part of the estate of his father-in-law, John
Vainiest. Besides this farm Mr. Kibby owns
a good farm of 220 acres, located on sections
7 and 8 of Clinton Township.

fOlIN T. PONTON, deceased, was born
in Ohio, January 30, 1830, a son of Obe-
diah Ponton, who was a Virginian by
birth. He was brought to Vermillion Coun-
ty, Indiana, in the fall of 1833, by his widowed
mother, she locating on section 3, Helt Town-
ship, on the land now occupied by the widow
of our subject. Here he was reared amid the
scenes and incidents of pioneer life, attend-
ing school in the primitive log cabins with
their puncheon Hoor and clapboard roof,
where he received but a limited education.
He was married August 5, 1860, to Miss
Polly Kearns, a daughter of William Kearns,
and a native of Helt Township, born in 1835.
Mr. Kearns settled in Helt Township in 1831.
He spent the last six years of his life in
Montezuma, Indiana, wliere he died Septem-
ber 9, 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Ponton were
born three children, of whom two are living,
Oliver P. M. and William S., the latter living
on the old homestead with his mother. Mr.
Ponton died August 8, 1886, his death
causing universal regret throughout the com-
munity where he had lived for so many years.
He was a kind and affectionate husband and
father, being strongly attached to his home

and family. He was a consistent Christian,
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church for thirty-five years.

fAMES ROBERTS, one of the prominent
men of Vermillion County, at present
engaged in mercantile pursuits at Clin-
ton, is a native of Edgar County, Illinois,
born February 13, 1844. His father was a
native of Ireland, coming to the United States
when twenty-six years of age. The mother
of our subject, whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Beers, was born at Bridgeport,
Connecticut, in 1799. She was first married
in Onondaga County, New York, to Isaac
Carman, and in 1836 came with her husband
to Clinton. Mr. Carman died a few years
later, leaving his widow with four children —
Jotham, the eldest, went to the Mexican war
I and has never since been heard from ; Mrs.
Emeline Bradshaw, the second child, lives in
Clinton; Mrs. Mary Freeman lives in Coles
County, Illinois, and Jonathan resides at
Eugene Cit}', Oregon. Mrs. Carman and
John Roberts were married in Edgar County,
Illinois, in 1842. Pie died in 1856. She
retained her mental and physical vigor to a
remarkable degree until her death which
occurred October 31, 1887, aged eighty-eight
years. She made her home with the subject
of this sketch, who is the only child of her
second marriage. James Roberts was reared
to a farm life, and in his youth received a
good common-school education. February 3,
1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred
and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and par-
ticipated in General Schofield's corps in the
Atlanta Campaign in which his regiment did
gallant service, taking part in the battles of
Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree
Creek, ChattaUoochie River, and the battles

in frontof Atlanta, in all of which Mr. Eoberts
manfnlly acted a soldier's part. After the
fall of Atlanta the regiment as part of the
Twenty-third Corps, turned north, and fonglit
in the heroic battles of Franklin and Nash-
ville, Tennessee, where General Hood's army
was practically destroyed. Mr. Roberts re-
ceived an honorable discharge September 13,
1865, when he returned to his home in Yer-
million County. Since November 21, ISTd,
when he entered tiie mercantile establishment
of Whitcomb, Anderson & Co., as clerk, he
has been engaged in mercantile pursuits,
with the exception of fonr years when he was
serving as clerk of Vermillion County, having
been elected to that office in 1878. In 1882
he became a partner in the mercantile lirm of
A. L. Whitcomb & Co., at Clinton. January
1, 1885, he sold out his interest in the busi-
ness to Mr. Whitcomb, and bought a farm in
Clinton Township. Later he opened a grocery
at Clinton which he continued but a short
time, when closing out he engaged in general
merchandising with B. H. Morgan and John
Q. Washburn under the firm name of Roberts
& Co. P^'ebruary 1, 1887, they divided their
stock and Mr. Roberts became associated in
business with B. H. Moi'gan, at the old stand
formerly occupied by A. L. Whitcomb & Co.
Besides his business interests in Clinton Mr.
Roberts owns a fine farm of 145 acres located
on sections 12 and 14, Clinton Township.
Mr. Roberts was united in marriage February
20, 1876, to Miss Laura Hagar, a daughter of
J. M. and Jane Hagar, her father being
deceased. Her mother is still a resident of
Clinton. The only child of Mr. and Mrs.
Roberts, a son named Arthur, was born
November 7, 1876. Mr. Roberts is one of
the leading members of the Masonic fraternity
in Vermillion County, and in 1887 was
appointed Master of Jerusalem Lodge, No-
99, a,t Cliuton, He is also a, member pf Owen

Post, No. 329, G. A. R., of which he is
Adjutant. In politics he is a Democrat. He
is now serving his fourth term as township
treasurer, which shows the confidence and
esteem in which he is held.

H-^-

KORGE H. REYNOLDS, of Highland
Township, is a son of Elias Nelson Rey-
iinlds, a pioneer of Vermillion County.
Elias N. Reynolds was born in Maryland
September 2, 1804. He was left an orphan
at an early age, and learned the trades of
wheelwright and chairmaker, serving an ap-
prenticeship of fiveyears, completing it when
he was twenty-one years old. He then went
to Zanesviile, Ohio, where he taught school
for a time, and in the fall of 1830 came to
Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled
about four miles northwest of Perrysville.
Here he entered 100 acres of land, which he
partially improved, living on it about si.\
years, and also in the meantime taught sev-
eral terms of school. About 1838 he moved
to a farm about three and a half miles north-
west of Perrysville, near the present site of
Gessie, where he lived until his death, which
occurred August 26, 1877, being at that time
within a few days of his seventy-third birth-
day. He was one of the highly respected
men of the county, and was one of its pub-
lic-spirited citizens. He was well educated
for his day, and always took an interest in the
cause of education. In politics he was a
Democrat, but during the war was a strong
supporter of the Government. He was mar-
ried May 8, 1828, near Circleville, Ohio, to
Rebecca Craig, a daughter of David Craig, a
native of Kentucky, who moved to Ohio in
an early day and built the first cabin on the
present site of the city of Chillicothe. Mr.
and Mrs. Reynolds had three sons, but one of

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETGUES.

whom, George H., survives. David J. M-as
born April 12, 1829, and died January 14,
1850; William W., born September 15, 1831,
died January 16, 1874. George IT. lleynolds
was born on the farm where he now lives in
Highland Township, July 28, 1835. He
was married December 31, 1857, to Marinda
Bainbridge, a daughter of Stephen Bain-
bridge, an early settler of Iligldand Towu-
siiip. They have si.x children living — James
B., born July 25, 1859; Flora Belle, born
January 15, 1861; Mary C, born December
22, 1868; William M., born November 19,
1871; Elias Nelson, born February 2, 1874,
and Callie, born June 5, 1881. Their third
child, Lanny J., was born May 9, 1864, and
died September 15, 1866. Mr. Reynold's
mother makes her home with him and is act-
ive and in -good health for one of her years.
Mr. Reynolds owns about 300 acres of land
in Highland Township.

tMOS J. BETSON, one of tlie prosperous
agriculturists of Vermillion County,
engaged in farming and stock-raising on
section 7, Vermillion Township, was born in
Oneida, Now York, in the year 1845. His
parents, Henry and Mary A. (Johnson) Bet-
son, were natives of New York State, and of
English descent. They came to Vermillion
County, Indiana, with their family in 1847,
remaining here till 1875. They then removed
to Chrisman, Illinois, M'here the father died
in 1875. The mother still resides in Chris-
man. Amos J. Betson, the subject of this
sketch, was reared to the avocation of a
farmer, which he has followed through life,
and in his youth received but a limited edu-
cation in the schools of his day. He was
married in Parke County, Indiana, in 1874,
to Miss Louisa Rubottora, who wa§ bora in i

that county in 1853, a daughter of Milton
and Lula Rubottom. Tiiey are the parents
of seven children named — Maude, Rosa, Lula,
Roy, Garnet J., Bernicc and ReMe C. Mr.
Betson commenced life for himself M'ithout
capital, at first renting land, but by his per-
severing industry and good business manage-
ment he has succeeded well, having by his
own eflbrts accumulated liis present fine
property. He owns 327 acres of land where
he resides, besides forty-nine acres in another
section. He has a fine brick residence,
erected by himself, and his entire surround-
ings show care and thrift. He raises a variety
of crops, most of whicli he feeds to his stock.
In politics he affiliates with the Democratic
party. Post office, Newport, Indiana.

ACHARIAH D. JAMES, late of Ver-
W f million Count}', but now a resident of
■1-v ' Montezuma, Parke County, was born in
Virginia, August 30, 1811, a son of Dr.
William 13. and Elizabeth James. In the fall
of 1811, when our subject was an infant, his
parents removed from Virginia to Jefferson
County, Ohio, making the entire trip on
horseback, his mother carr3'ing him all the
way. In 1816 the family settled in Mans-
field, Ohio, among the early settlers, the
father preaching the first sermon preached in
that place, and superintended the building of
the first church there. He immigrated to
Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1822, where
he practiced medicine and preached the gos-
pel until 1826. In that year he took a load
of corn to New Orleans on a flatboat, and on
the return trip died at Vicksburg, Missis-
sippi. Our subject was about eleven years of
age when his father settled in this county,
and here he was reared to manhood amid the
wild surroundings of pioneer life. He helped

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

cut the first wheat, and gather the first corn
raised on the Swayze farm on Kelt's Prairie.
He was united in marriage Kovember 4,
1830, to Miss Jane Sividmore, the eldest of
eight children of Joshna Skidmore, and to
this union five children were born, of whom
. three are yet living, naniedAVilliain A., a
resident of Ilelt Township; John S., engaged
in the grocery trade in Danville, Illinois, and
Henry H., a practicing physician of St. Ber-
nice, this county. Mr. James followed farm-
ing until 1852, when he removed to
Montezuma, where he was engaged in the
mercantile business some sixteen years. He
then dealt extensively ingrain and stock for
a time, and is now living retired from act-
ive business life, enjoying the fruits of his
years of toil and industry. Mrs. James died
January 23, 1873, and Mr. James was a
second time married November 20, 1873,
to Mrs. Anna R. Elder, a native of Clinton
County, New York, widow of Samuel Elder
and daughter of Mason Meade. Mr. James
has been a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church since 1828, his wife having also
been a member of the same church many
years. In his political views he affiliates
with the Eepublican party.

fEORGE A. CRA13B, one of the leading
business men of Clinton, engaged in
dealing in groceries, was born at Clinton
Locks, in Parke County, Indiana, January 22,
1859, a son of Walter G. and Eliza (Tiiayer)
Crabb. His father was born in Ohio, August
2, 1816, a son of John W. Crabb, who was
one of the pioneers of the Wabash Valley,
and who made his home on Walker's Bluffin
Parke County, this State, in 1821. Walter
G. Crabb, when a young man, by th- death
ot his father, had the care of the family

thrown upon him, his elder brothers having
married and left home. A few years later he
married a Miss Hanson, and to them were
born eleven children, of whom only three are
now living — Azro P., of Idaho Territory;
Mrs. Elizabeth White, of Helt Township,
Yermillion County, and Winfield S., residing
in Iowa. The mother and the remaining
eight children are buried at Clinton Locks.
The second wife of Walter G. Crabb was a
Miss Laney, who died shortly after her mar-
riage. He was again married to Miss Eliza
Thayer, a native of New York, and to this
union five children were born, of whom
George A., the subject of this sketch, is the
eldest, and excepting his sister, Mary E., of
Clinton, is the only one living. Three of the
children died in infancy. Walter G. Crabb
led an active biisiness life, and was among the
first traders at Clinton Locks, a place of im-
portance during the days of the operation of
the Wabash and Erie Canal. He erected a
warehouse which is still standing there, and
was a contr-actor in the construction of the
canal. He carried on a ferry there for eleven
years, crossing the Wabash at Clinton. In
1862 hq, became identified with this place,
and until the spring of 1865 he owned and
operated a steam grist-mill one and a half
miles west of Clinton. In 1865 he erected
the brick grist and merchant mill at Clinton,
which he operated until his death, and which
is now a part of his estate. He died August
22, 1884. His wife died November 12, 1877,
aged forty-five years. All the brothers and
sisters of Walter G. Crabb are deceased, with
the exception of Mrs. Mary Welton, who
resides in Edgar County, Illinois. The edur
cation of Mr. Crabb was limited to a few
montlis attendance in the subscription schools.
He became a thorough, practical business
man, and in all respects was a self-made man.
His father, once w^U-to-do in this world's

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

303

goods, became a poor man through tlie failure
of others, and left his family in limited cir-
cumstances, and every dollar owned by Wal-
ter Ct. C'rabb was earned by himself, and at his
death he left a fair estate. In politics he was
first a Whig, but affiliated with the Republi-
can party from its organization. While not
a professing Christian he gave freely of his
means toward the building of churches, and
also purchased books for a Sixnday-school at
Clinton Locks, of which he was superintend-
ent. He was a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and was buried with Masonic honors.
George A. Crabb, whose name heads this
sketch, was reared from the age of three years
in Clinton, and his education was obtained in
the schools of Clinton. At the age of fifteen
years he took charge of his father's books,
aiid assisted his father in his mill nntil es-
tablishing himself in his present business,
March li, 1883. October 16, 1881, he was
married to Miss Metta V. Davidson, who was
born at Clinton, September 8, 1860, a daugh-
ter of John and Jane Davidson, both of whom
are deceased. Their only child, Metta Amelia,
was born December 22, 1885. In politics
Mr. Crabb casts his suffrage with the Ilepub-
lican party.

^^DWARD A. FLAUGIIEIt, M. D.,
rj. a prominent physician and surgeon of
'b^' Cayuga, was born in Vermillion Coun-
ty, Illinois, September 7, 1846, a son of
Zachariah Flaugher. His father was born in
Brown Connty, Ohio, February 22, 1811, and
died in Vermillion County, Illinois, Decem-
ber 3, 1865. He being a farmer, our subject
was reared to the same avocation, and his
education was received priiicipally in the
Industrial Universily of Champaign, Illinois,
from which institution he graduated in June,

24 -

1868. He then began reading medicine with
Dr. W. T. Summers, of Urbana, Illinois, and
later read under the preceptorship of Dr.
Balch, of Georgetown. During the year
1871 he attended the St. Louis Medical
College one term, and in 1881 he spent one
term at the Ohio Medical College of Cincin-
nati, and two terms at the Indiana Medical
College at Indianapolis, graduating from the
latter college in March, 1883. Dr. Flaugher
commenced the practice of his profession in
1870, which he has since followed M'ith the
exception of the time spent at college. He
makes a specialty of diseases ot the eye in
which he is very successful, and has become
identified with the prominent medical men
of this part of the county. He located at
Eugene in August, 1870, and in 1876 went
to Williamsport, Warren County, returning
to Eugene, in January, 1880. He removed
his office to Cayuga in October, 1884, being
the first settler at this place. He estab-
lished a drug and grocery store at Cayuga,
the pioneer store, which he carried on in
connection with his medical practice until
March 17, 1885, when he disposed of his
business to Nathan Tutt. He was appointed
postmaster at Cayuga in March, 1886, and
still holds that position. He has now a
good practice at this place. Dr. Flaugher
was married August 28, 1874, to Miss Mary
J. Greer, whose father was George W. Greer,
an early settler of Eugene Township. Of
the two children born to this union but one is
living, a daughter named Mary E.

fHOMAS HENRY HARRISON, one
of the old and honored pioneers of
J Highland Township, residing on sec-
tion 31, about five miles west of Perrysville,
was born in Oliio County, "W'l'st Vii'ginia,

UISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

January 1, 1810. His father, John Harri-
son, removed from Baltimore, Maryland, to
West Virginia, and later settled with his
family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he
died when the subject of this sketch was a
child. He was a nailer by trade, and was
engaged in the manufacture of nails at Pitts-
burgh. After his death the family returned
to West Virginia, remaining there until 1819,
then moved to Monroe County, Ohio. Tiie
mother was a second time married, to William
Harris, who died in the United States army,
and to this union two sons were born, named
Charles and Samuel. In 1834 the mother
immigrated with her family to Vermillion
County, Indiana, M'here she died April 9,
1861, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Thomas Henry Harrison, whose name heads
this sketch, arrived in Perrysville for the first
time December 20, 1834. January 29, 1835,
he was united in marriage to Miss Marinda
Henthorn, a daughter of William D. Hen-
thorn, who came to Vermillion County at the
same time as the Harrison family. He then
settled on the land now occupied by our sub-
ject, where he lived until his death, his wife
also dying at the homestead some time be-
fore. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Henthorn only four daughters are living at
the present^time. Eleven children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, of whom
seven are yet living — Virginia, Richard,
Susan, Marinda, Mary C, Charles and Mar-
garet M. Their eldest son, William M., was
a member of Company K, One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, in the war of
the Pebcllion. He was wounded at tlie bat-
tle of Perryville, Kentucky, but died of pneu-
monia at Gallatin, Tennessee, January 13,
1863, in his twenty-sixth yeai-. The remain-
ing children who are deceased are — John,
who died August 18, 1846, aged six years;
Thomas B., died in his thirty-second year,

July 4, 1883, at Jonesboro, Arkansas, and
one who died in infancy, unnamed. In April,
1835, shortly after his marriage, Mr. Harri-
son went to Porter County, Indiana, return-
ing to Perrysville, Vermillion County, in
October of the same year. In August, 1838,
he settled on the place where he has since
resided, with the exception of one year. As
will be seen Mr. Harrison has been a resident
of Highland Township about fifty-four years,
and is now the only representative of his
father's family living in Indiana. He has
always been an active and public spirited
citizen, being interested in all enterprises
which tend toward the advancement of his
township or county. In politics he was in
early life a Whig, but in later years a Re-
publican.

fRANCIS M. RILEY, of Rileysburg,
was born on the homestead which he
now owns and occupies, April 14, 1844,
and is one of the representative citizens of
Vermillion County. Jacob Riley, the father
of our subject, was one of the early pioneers
of the county, settling on the farm now occu-
pied by his son in 1842. He was born in
Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1803, where he
was reared, and received a fair education con-
sidering the lack of educational advantages
in that early day. He came to Perrysville,
Vermillion County, in 1827, and engaged in
teaching school, in which he had considerable
experience. He was married at Perrysville
in 1831, to Elizabeth Nichols, sister of Will-
iam Nichols, of Highland Township, and to
this union were born four sons and one
daughter. Three of the sons yet survive —
Geoi-ge Harding, Frank M. and Jacob. Will-
iam, the eldest son, died in Green County,
Wisconsin, March 3, 1865, and the daughter,

IT-- r

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCEES.

Naucy, died February 19, 1861. She was the
wife of Isaac Rouse, and left at her death
three children. The father established the
first harness shop in Perrysville, where he
carried on the business until 1842. He then
sold out and purchased 100 acres of the Riley
homestead, on which he located. He added
largely to his original purcliase until he
owned about 600 acres, becoming one of the
wealthy and influential men of Highland
Township. He died at the homestead, No-
vember 1, 1880. The mother of our subject
died May 4, 1868, and after her death the
father married again. His widow still sur-
vives and is making her home in Danville.
Francis M. Riley is one of the leading farm-
ers and stock-raisers in Yermillion County.
He was the first to introduce the Poll-Angus
breed of cattle into the county, and is making
a success in the raising of this valuable
breed. He is also engaged in tlie manufac-
ture of tile, this enterprise being carried on
under the firm name of Riley & Shute. The
works of this firm are at Rileysburg, where a
superior quality of tile is produced. Mr.
Riley served four months in the war of the
Rebellion, being a member of the Seventy-
first Illinois Infantry. He was married May
8, 1877, to Miss Martha W. Rodgers, who
was born in AVarren County, Indiana, March
25, 1860, her father, Elislia Rodgers, being
still a resident of that county. Politically
Mr. Riley affiliates with the Republican
party. He is at present one of tlie commis-
sioners of Vermillion County, having been
elected to that office in the fall of 1884, and
re-elected in the fall of 1888. He has a
beautiful farm of 327 acres of land, 160 of
which belonged to the original homestead,
and its entire surroundings ai-e indicative of
the enterprise and industry of the owner.
On the building of the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois Railroad, a station wns gecured at

Rileysburg, through the influence of Mr.
Riley. The name was originally Riley, but
there being another station on the railroad
bearing that name, the name of this station
was changed to Rileysbui-g in the spring of
1885. The place was formerly but a flag
station, but is now a regular station, ami
is a place of some importance, where con-
siderable shipping is carried on. Mr. Riley
takes a deep interest in the welfare of the
town, and every movement calculated to aid
in building up the place has his encourage-
ment and assistance.

fTEPHEN STEVENSON COLLETT,
deceased, was a resident near Eugene.
He was a son of John and Elizabeth
Collett, a sketch of whom we give elsewhere.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1792, he was nine
years old when the family came West with
him, traveling by flat boat down the Ohio
River to Lime Rock, Kentucky, in 1800. He
came to this State in 1818, in company with
his brother, Josephus, tlieir father having been
appointed deputy United States Surveyor in
the Maumee Valley. Stephen himself, as
deputy United States Surveyor for a part of
Indiana Territory, made the first surveys of
the counties of Owen, Putnam, Montgomery
and Tippecanoe. He was subsequently en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits at Teire Haute,
where the firms of Linton & Collett, and
Rose & Collett, had extensive business
relations in the fur trade with John Jacob
Astor, with headquarters at Mackinac. In
1827 he removed to Eugene, Vermillion
County, of which village plat he was the first
proprietor, and where he engaged in the
shipping of farm products and general mer-
chandise by flat-boats to New Orleans. He
was chosen as a Whig of the Ifenry Chiy

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

school to represent Vermillion County in the
House of Eepresentatives for the sessions of
1833-'35 ; then was senator from Parke, Yer-
million and Warren connties in 1835-'36 and
from Parke and Yermillion in 1842-'44.
During all his legislative career he served
with marked ahility; was a member of the
standing committees on Finance, Education
and Agriculture; and was one of the nine
members, including Governor AVhitcomb and
Calvin Fletcher, who voted against the
internal improvement scheme, which after-
ward proved so disastrous. Although he
had had but little opportunity for school
education, he acquired studious habits, be-
came posted in history and general literature.
Although not a member of any church, he
maintained a steadfast faith in the general
principles of Christianity, especially the
Golden Paile. He died December 28, 1843,
at Browning's Hotel, Indianapolis, while
serving as State Senator, and the Legislature
passed resolutions of sincere respect concern-
ing him, and many members delivered
eloquent eulogies. Senator Bradley, for ex-
ample, said: "By his energy, sagacity of in-
tellect and integrity, which was never soiled
by a stain nor darkened by a cloud of suspicion,
he deservedly attained a high place in public
estimation." Representative Thomas Dowl-
ing, of Vigo Coimty, said: " As a merchant
he was upright, scrupulously honest, direct
and plain in his dealings; as a farmer he was
distinguished for his good taste and industry;
as a neighbor he was kind and obliging; as ;'.
friend, tirm and steadfast; as a legislator,
conscientious, prudent and upright; as a
politician, devotedly attached to the great
principle of constitutional liberty." On his
farm he was a pioneer in the introduction of
fine stock, and improved varieties of grain
and other farm products. His clover field in
1832 was a curiosity, as it was one of the earliest

in the State; and even at that early day he
secured short-horn Durhams from the herd
of Heniy Clay. In 1835 he owned and bred
Ilaserac, the fsistest, thoroughbred English
race-horse in the West. In 1838--39 he had
herds of fine wooled sheep, Berkshire hogs,
etc. Neighbors for a hundred miles around
obtained of him improved varieties of live-
stock and of grain. In 1822 Mr. Collett
married Sarah Groenendyke, of Terre Haute,
and their family comprised three sons and
five daughters, all of whom are living except
two of the daugliters. The sons are — Hon.
John Collett, State Geologist, 1879-'84;
Stephen S., a successful farmer, and manager
of the bank of Collett & Company at New-
port, this State; and Josephus, a farmer,
merchant, banker, railroad manager, etc.,
now residing at Terre Haute. (See sketch of
these elsewhere in this volume). The daugh-
ter, Emily, married Dr. W. G. Montgomery, for
several years Senator from Warren County.
Mary married J. P. Campbell, deceased, who
was a successful merchant and active Repub-
lican politician of Crawfordsville; Ellen mar-
ried D. M. Jones, a Newport (Indiana)
attorney, and Representative from Vermillion
County of the Legislature during the war;
Jennie married James II. Turner, of Terre
Haute; and Clara married Crawford Fair-
banks, also Terre Haute.

•i^^

T^. A^'ID McBETH, manufacturer of har-
I ,) iK'ss, saddles, etc., and dealer in buggies
■i0^ and wagons, Clinton, was born in Logan
County, Ohio, August 1, 1845, a sou of
Robert and Maria (Gunn) McBeth, both of
whom were natives of Ohio, and of Scotch
and Irish parentage. Robert Gunn, the ma-
ternal grandiather of our subject, was Indian
agent in Ohio, in its pioneej- days, and built

the first liouse at Bellefontaine, that State.
The parents of our subject are deceased, the
father dying of cholera at St. Louis, Missouri,
in 1850, aged thirty-nine years, and the mother
at Springfield, Ohio, at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. I. A. Hazel, in 1872, in her
sixty-third year. Tliey were the parents of
six children, of whom David is the youngest.
His two brothers are deceased. His sisters
are — Mrs. Maria Bane, of Battle Creek, Mich-
igan; Minerva Goodale, also living in Battle
Creek, Michigan, and Mrs. Hazel, living in
Denver, Colorado. David spent his youth
in Hichland, a small town in Logan County.
Li July, 1861, he went to Columbus, Ohio,
to learn the harness trade. In February,
1861, he enlisted in Company K, Third Uni-
ted States Cavalry, serving a term of three
years. The regiment first had headquarters
at Little Rock, Arkansas, and later while Mr.
McBeth was with it at Fort Sheldon, New
Mexico. In February, 1867, he was dis-
charged from the service of the United States,
and resumed work at his trade, saddle and
harness making, at Columbus, Ohio, at which
he had previously served an apprenticeship,
commencing when sixteen years old. In
March, 1869, he came to Clinton, establishing
his present business at this place. In 1870
he returned to Ohio for his bride. Miss Jennie
Ilarsha, whom he married at Bellefontaine,
October 5, 1870. She is a native of Pennsyl-
vania, born April 6, 1846. Her father died
many years ago, and her mother, Mrs. Mary
P. Harsha, now Mrs. Burns, is living at
Charlevoix, Michigan. Five children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. McBeth, of whom
only two are living, named Mabel and Mary.
Both Mr. McBeth and wife are meml)ers of
tlie Presbyterian church. In politics he has
always voted the Republican ticket. Mr.
McBeth is a man of splendid business quali-
fications, and by his strict attention to his

ti-ade he has established a large business, and
by his fair and honorable dealings has gained
the confidence and esteem of all wlio know
him.

fOIIN WESLEY CASEBEER, retired
farmer and merchant, Hillsdale, was born
in Mansfield, Ohio, January 22, 1831, a
son of John Casebeer, who was a blacksmith
by trade. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the Mansfield public schools.
He came to Vermillion County, Indiana, in
November, 1849, in his nineteenth year,
crossing the Wabash River at Raccoon Ferry.
He remained in tlie county but a few days,
when he went to Coles (now Douglas) Coun-
ty, Illinois, five miles below Newman, where
his cousin, Jolm Casebeer, now resides. He
returned to Mansfield in the fall of 1851,
making the trip on horseback. In 1853 he
came again to this county and settled in Helt
Township, where he has since made his liomc.
He was married August 27, 1855, to Martha
Rush, a daughter of Samuel Rush, who was
one of the early settlers of the county, and
one of the first school-teachers of Helt Town-
ship. Six children have been born to this
union, of whom four are yet living — Alvin
B., married Miss Annie Fultz, and lives near
Eugene, this county; John W., Jr., married
Miss Jennie McDole, and lives on the old
homestead near Hillsdale; Ithimer M. entered
De Pauw University, September 14, 1887;
Mary A. married George James, of Hills-
dale, and they are the parents of one cliild
named Mervin E. When the Evansville,
Terre Haute & Chicago (now the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois) Railroad was being built,
Mr. Casebeer was a contractor on the road,
building one mile of the grade. He engaged
in the saw-mill business in Hillsdale in 1870,

372

BSW .i M »M- 1 » » a " «1»M-W-l"« «» -M« * «"-| lg M g - " -W-1i M i a Ui W B «i »M« W - « Bi a(li

niSTORr OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

wliich he followed some two or three years.
In the spring of 1881 he established his mer-
cantile business, which he carried on snccess-
fnlly until late in the year 1885, when he
sold his stock of goods to Joseph Flinii,
although he still owns the store bnilding.
He is also the owner of eighty acres of choice
land in Ilelt Township, besides town property
in Alto and Hillsdale. He has been a promi-
nent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church for thirty years, and is a liberal sup-
porter toward all benevolent institutions.
Mrs. Casebeer is also an active member of
the same church, is president of the Woman's
Foreign Missionary Society of the Salem
Methodist Episcopal church, and is an ardent
temperance and Sabbath-school worker. Few
men in the county are more widely knowu or
more generally respected than the subject of
this sketch. Genial in temperament, chari-
table toward the unfortunate, active in the
support of every movement calculated to pro-
mote the piiblic welfare, he takes a prominent
position in the community, and has gained
the confidence of all who know him.

tEASON H. SWINEHART, hardware
merchant, Clinton, established his resi-
dence and business at this place in
April, 1871. He was born in Holmes County,
Ohio, February 22, 1822, a son of Daniel and
Yesta (Hogland) Swinehart,his father a native
of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and his
mother a native of Ohio. In 1841 the family
moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where the
parents lived until their death, the mother
dying in 1848, aged fifty years, and the
father dying in 1872, at the age of seventy-six
years. Reason H. Swinehart was married at
Terre Haute, April 12, 1857, to Miss Ann
Palmer, and to them have been born six

children as follows — Emma died in infancy;
Clara, born September 8, 1860, is the wife of
W. L. Morey, of Clinton; Harry, born July
20, 1863; Frank, born January 15, 1866;
Daniel, died in infancy, and Elizabeth, born
at Clinton, August 15, 1871. Soon after
locating in Terre Haute Mr. Swinehart com-
menced work at the tinner's trade which he
followed until establishing his hardware busi-
ness in Clinton. His sons, Harry and Frank,
both of whom are young men of fine business
qualifications, assist him in his business.
Both are members of the Odd Fellows order,
and Harry is at present Junior Warden of
Clinton Encampment, No. 143. The father
and sons are members of Amant Lodge, No.
356, I. O. O. F., and have passed all the
chairs of the lodge. In politics Mr. Swine-
hart is independent, but of Democratic
antecedents.

l^^ILLIAM A. JAMES, section 11, Helt
• 1/ \/' Township, was born in Yermilliou

.^.^"j County, Indiana, September 16,
1831, a son of Zachariah D. and Jane (Skid-
more) James. His father M-as born in Vir-
ginia in 1811, and in 1822 came with his
parents to Vermillion County, where he was
reared and married. Of a family of five
childx-en, but three are living — William A.,
John S., a grocer of Danville, Illinois, and
Dr. Harry H., of St. Berniee. William A.
James was reared on a farm in Helt Town-
ship. He was given good educational
advantages, attending school in Paris and
Blooniington, Illinois, and after leaving
school taught a short time. In 1862 ho
enlisted in defense of his country and M-as
assigned to Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana
Infixntry, and served six months. After his
return home he clerked in his father's store

BIOQRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ill Montezuma, and in 1867 returued to Ver-
million County. In 1869 he settled on the
farm where he now lives, which contains 128
acres of valuable land, all well improved and
under a good state of cultivation, and his
residence and farm buildings are commodious
and convenient. Mr. James was married
February 5, 1856, to Frances Iloughland,
daughter of AVilliam Houghland. They have
had seven children, but two of whom are
living — Charles W. and Harry E. The
latter married Ida B. Rose, and is now a
telegraph operator of Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr.
James is a member of the Gi-and Army of the
Republic, the Ancient Order of the United
AVorkman and the Patrons Mutual Aid So-
ciety of Yermillion County. He and his
wife are niembers of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Politically Mr. James is a Republi-
can. He is one of the prominent and pros-
perous citizens of the township where he has
spent his life.

fESSE HOUCHIN was born in Pike
County, Ohio, November 10, 1825. He
is of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, but for
three generations preceding him his paternal
ancestors were natives of Virginia. His
father, Jesse Houchin, was born in Amherst
County, Virginia, June 10, 1770. His grand-
father, William Houchin, was born in Buck-
ingham County, as was also his great-grand-
father, John Houchin. His mother was Mary
Allison, daughter of Thomas Allison, of New
York State. Five of his uncles were soldiers
ill the war of 1812, Moses and Charles
Houchin, and Jesse, James and Daniel Alli-
son. His parents, soon after their marriage
moved to Greenbrier County, West Virginia,
and in 1820 to Pike County, Ohio, and from
there in 1830 to Vermillion C'ounty, Indiana,

settling first in Highland Township, Initsoon
after moved to Warren County, where they
lived twenty years. Jesse Houchin remained
M-ith his parents until manhood, and in his
youth, when not employed in the work of the
farm, attended the subscription schools. In
February, 1851, lie moved to a farm in Helt
Township, Vermillion County, and there im-
proved a farm on which he lived until No-
vember 10, 1886, when he moved to
Montezuma, but keeps his farm of 320 acres
well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and
sheep as heretofore; and raising crops of
grain and grass. Mr. Houchin was married
April 9, 1846, to Elizabeth Jackson, daughter
of John Jackson. They have had eight
children — Martha S., John S., Mary M.,
Jessie E., Alice C, Daniel V., William E. and
Lawrence Bruce. Daniel and William are
deceased. Martha married William Malone,
of Helt Township, and has nine children;
John married Eudora Johnson; Mary is the
wife of Silas Davis, and has eleven children;
Jessie is the wife of James M. Morgan ; Alice
is the wife of Frank P. Thorn, and has one
child; Daniel married Alice S. Earles, and
at his death left one child. Mr. Houchin has
been a prominent citizen of Vermillion
County for thirty-five years. He is in no
sense a politician, but is interested in pro-
moting the material welfare of his township
and county, and is always ready to assist any
enterprise worthy of his support.

^-^^wf^«~

fAVID A. REED, a representative of
one of the old and respected pioneer
families of Vermillion County, was born
in Stokes County, North Carolina, Septem-
ber 28, 1824. His father, Jacob Reed, was
also a native of Stokes County, his father be-
ing a native of Germany, and coming to

HISTORY OF VEmtlLLION COUNTY.

North Carolina wlien sixteen years of age.
The parents of our suT)jeet came to Yermill-
ion County in 1831 and settled on the same
section where he now resides, the land at the
time of their settlement being in a state of
nature. David A. Keed was reared on this
farm, and in his youth attended the rude log
cabin subscription schools, receiving such
education as could be obtained therein. He
was inarried December 11, 1849, to Nancy
M. Wishard, a daughter of John O.Wishard,
who settled in Vermillion County as early as
December, 1829. Eleven children were born
to this union, of whom seven ai-e living —
Jane, John J., Margaret E., Mary E., Sarah
A., Barbara A. and Laura B., all married with
the exception of Laura. Mr. aud Mrs. Eeed
have now fifteen grandchildren. Mr. Eeed
has made farming the principal occupation of
hi.s life, and by his own persevering industry
and economy he has accumulated his present
tine property, he having commenced life for
himself entirely without means. He is now
the owner of 249 acres of choice land, and
resides on section 28, Helt Township. In
connection with his general farming he de-
votes considerable attention to stock-raising,
making a specialty of graded stock. Mr.
Reed has been a member cf the Methodist
Protestant church from the age of sixteen
years, and has always given liberally of his
means toward the support of the gospel. He
is an active Sabbath-school worker, and has
served as superintendent or teacher for more
than forty years. In his political views he
affiliates with the Eepublican party. His
son, John J. Reed, is one of the rising young
agriculturists of Helt Township, and is the
owner of a good farm of lOlJ acres on sec-
tion 28 of the same township. He was born
in Helt Township, Yermillion County, July
17, 1852, where he was reared a farmer, and
educated in the common schools. He was

united in marriage March 2'J, 1881, to Ros-
etta Heidle, whose father, John M. Heidle,
was one of the pioneers of Helt Township.
They are the parents of three children —
Jesse A., Margaret E. and an infant son yet
unnamed.

fAMES F. CARMACK, farmer and stock-
raiser, resides on his father's farm on
section 7, Vermillion Township. He is
the owner of a good farm of fifty acres, all
well improved, located elsewhere in the co\in-
ty. He was born on the farm where he now
lives, in 1854, a son of Andrew and Rachel
Carmack. His mother is deceased and his
father now lives in Dana. He was reared a
farmer, and since starting in life for himself
has been successful, and is now numbered
among the representative citizens of his town-
shij). He was married in 1883 to Margaret
A., daughter of A. R. and Alvira Newlin,
pioneers of Vermillion County. In polities
Mr. Carmack is a Democrat. He and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.

##fT:ILLIAM SLxVTER, of Dana, was
'■1/V/- 1'"i"ii ill Vermillion Township, Ver-

.~ J inillion County, Indiana, July 3,
isiy, a son of James aud Melissa (Hifill) Sla-
ter. His father was born in the State of Ohio,
coming to this county when a young man,
where he lived until his death. His mother
is still living, and makes her home with her
son-in-law, William Reed, about three and a
half miles from Dana. He was reared to the
avocation of a farmer, and his education was
obtained in the common schools of the county.
When twenty-one years of age he learned the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

blacksmith's trade, which he followed until
May, 1886. In 1870 he went to Iowa, where
he spent over nine years, working at his trade
in Mount Pleasant and Ottumwa. In 1880 he
went from Iowa to Colorado, and in 1886
left La Junta, Bent County, tha^t State, for
Yermillion County, and has since been a
resident of Dana. Mr. Slater was united in
marriage April 10, 1875, to Miss Jennie
Moore, who was born in Henry County, Iowa,
October 6, 1861, a daughter ot Peter and
Caroline (Gallagher) Moore, her father de-
ceased, and her mother living in Trenton,
Iowa. Two children have l»een born to Mr.
and Mrs. Slater, named Pearl and Mont'.

IIOMAS THOMPSON, the genial pro-
•^;||j V prietor of the Cayuga House, is a native
^J of Indiana, born in Putnam County,
June 14, 1839, his father, Gari'ison Thompson,
who is now deceased, being one of the pioneers
of that county. Our subject was reared in his
native county, receiving his education in the
common schools of his neighborhood. He
was married April 1, 1861, to Miss Sarah
Smith, a daughter of James H. Smith, of
Iniinbridge, Indiana, and to them have been
born five children — Gertrude, Cora, Frank,
Fred and Maude. Gertrude married John
Owens, of Putnam County, and they are the
the parents of three children, na;med Glen,
Ethel and Georgeann. Mr. Thompson was a
member of Company B, Forty-third Indiana
Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion, and
participated in the battles of New Madrid,
Island No. 10, Helena, Little Eock, Mem-
phis, Fort Pillow, Cameron and Marks Mill,
being taken prisoner at the last mentioned
place. He was then sent to Tyler, Texas,
where he was imprisoned ten months. He
remained in the service of liis country almost

four years, when he returned to his home.
He came to Eugene in 1885, and in January,
1887, came to Cayuga and took charge of the
Junction Hotel until his present commodious
hotel was erected. He has served during the
past two years as justice of the peace, in
which office he is serving witli credit to him-
self and satisfaction to his constituents. He
is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Re-
pixblic. His wife is a member of the Method-
ist Episcopal church.

fOSEPII A. CLOVER, section 11, Clin-
ton Township, is a representative of one
of the earliest families of the neighbor-
hood. He was born near Cincinnati, Ohio,
August 6, 1818, a son of James and Eliza
(Aspril) Clover, his father a native of the
Allegheny Mountain district of Pennsylva-
nia, and his mother of Delaware. The par-
ents were married in Pennsylvania, but about
1817 moved to Ohio, locating near Cincinnati,
and thence in 1822 to Vermillion County,
Indiana. They settled on section 11, Clinton
Township, on what is now the homestead of
our subject. The country was then a wilder-
ness, their nearest neighbor being Truman
Ford, who lived three miles southeast. The
father was in limited circumstances, but had
enough to pay for eighty acres of land, and
help maintain his family until he could clear
a few acres and raise food. The nearest mill
was at Eugene, twenty-iive miles distant.
He was [a great lover of the chase, and
generally furnished his neighbors with veni-
son. He killed the only bear ever killed in
his neighborhood. His house was surmounted
with selected antlers, and was known far and
near as the "Buck Horn House." James
Clover died in the prime of life, February 26,
1836, aged forty-live years, his widow follow-

iiig liiin in May of the following year. They
had a family of eight children — one born in
Pennsylvania, two in Ohio, and five in Ver-
million County. Jane is now the wife of
James Martin, of Grundj- County, Illinois^
Malinda is the widow of Solomon Stults, of
Clinton Township; Delilah, deceased, was
tlie wife of Joseph Ileeder; Letitia, deceased,
was the wife of Wesley Fatton; John D.
lives in Texas; Samuel F., and Margaret
wife of William Kirkendall, live in Livingston
County, Illinois. Joseph A. was the second
child and eldest son, and after the death of
liis parents he kept the family together, until
after his sisters were married. He then,
April 2, 1848, married Drnsilla Eeeder, who
was born in Yerniillion Township, October 9,
1821, a daughter of Amos Eeeder, one of the
earliest pioneers of the county. Her mother
died when she was a child, and her father
February 24, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Clover
liave had five children — Jane ^(deceased, wife
of Garrett Ames); Isabell, Amos (deceased),
AVilliam E., and James, of Clinton Township.
Mr. Clover has a good property of 156 acres,
which was formerly the home of liis father,
around whicli cling many fond memories.
He abounds in reminiscences and anecdotes
of pioneer life, and if anytliing of importance
lias been by him forgotten, his friends cannot
be made to believe it. A practical joker,
many are the pranks played by him, but none
are ever wounded to the heart, and a visit to
him is one long to be remembered. Wlien
foin-teen years of age he killed a huge buck,
and was afterward called the champion boy
hunter. The chase was his delight, but when
eighteen years old he sliot his last deer.
While hunting he had wasted his last shot
on a very large buck, but succeeded in only
wounding him. The deer could not run
away, and the determined young hunter
would not, but closing in upon him with his

knife, fought it to the death, leaving the
scene half naked, and wounded and torn in a
way frightful to see. The deer was dead and
beheaded, but com^jlete recovery for the
reserved best in the fight was a work of con-
siderable time. 4 When cured of his wounds
he was cured of deer-liunting. The buck as
it roamed at will, and the doe witli the grace-
ful fawn, were never more disturbed by him.
In politics he is a Democrat. During the
war he advocated the war measures, but since
its close has been a man of peace.

jP^iON. WILLIAM SKIDMOEE, who was
Wm\j prominently identified with the growth
"iS'd and development of Vermillion County,
Indiana, during his life, was the first white
child born in the county, a son of John Skid-
more, the date of his birth being February lU,
1819. He was born with but onehand, his left
hand,andone-thirdofthat arm being gone. Yet
in spite of this he was able to chop trees, and
do other work required in the clearing and
making of a farm, seemingly as well as any
one. He was reared amid the wild surround-
ings of pioneer life, and during his early life
he frequently hauled corn to the Wabash
Eiver, which he sold for ten cents a busliel,
and has often taken apples to Chicago, Illi-
nois. He was a self-made man in every sense
of the word, and became one of the most
proininent men in the county where lie has
always lived. He was twice married, taking-
for his first wife Elizabeth Pearman, and of
the three children born to tliem two are yet
living — Thomas J. and Mrs. Sarali J. Free-
man. Mr. Skidmore was married a second
time to a widow named Mrs. Amelia Ilelt,
and to this union five children were born —
William Henry, George F., Mary E., Jasper
F. and Caroline F. By her first marriage

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

377

Mrs. Skidinore has two children — Mrs. Serena
Depny, and Mrs. Clarinda Garner. Mr.
Skidmore filled many of the official trusts of
his township and county, and twice repre-
sented the county in the State Legislature, in
the years from 18G6 to 1870. In the early
history of the county he served as constable
and justice of the peace. While holding the
former office he was called one time hy the
citizens to assist in arresting a man whom
tliey had chased into Mr. Swazey's cellar.
Mr. Skidmore went into the cellar when he
was shot by the man in the right arm below
the ell)ow. Never heeding this he sncceeded
in arresting his man before he had time to
do more harm, wresting from his grasp a
second freshly-loaded pistol and holding until
the citizens came to his help and bound their
prisoner. " lie carried the bullet received
there in his arm to his grave. He was a
consistent Christian and an active worker in
the Methodist church for many years. Even
when a boy he would walk over the settlement
and tell the people of the near approach of
some religious meeting. He died in May,
1881, in the triumphant hope of a blessed
immortality.

^^;rEPIIEN S. COLLETT, of Newport,
Ivs^l is a representative of one of the earliest
^^^ pioneer families of Vermillion County.
He was born in Eugene in December, 1829,
and Yermillion County has always been his
home. In his youth he received good edu-
cational advantages, attending Wabash Col-
lege three years. He has been an active
business man, and for many years was one of
the prominent merchants of Newport. He
assisted in organizing the First National
Bank of Newport, serving as its cashier some
time. Since that time he has been connected

w'ith the banking interests of Newport, at
present being general manager of CoUctt ik
Co.'s Bank. Mr. Collett married Miss Jennie
Dunlap, a daughter of Alexander Dunlap,
and they have four children, three sons and
one daughter — John, cashier in Collett &
Co.'s Bank; Samuel D., Fred D. and Eva,
wife of Adam B. Littlepage, of Charleston,
West Virginia. In politics the Colletts were
old line Whigs in the days of that party, and
later liave affiliated w'ith the llepublican
party. In religion they are liberal in their
views.

fAMES J. LEWIS, one of the old and
highly esteemed pioneers of Highland
Township, is a native of Maryland, born in
Worcester County, January 1, 1805, a son of
James and Sarah Lewis. He was early in
life left an orphan, liaving no remembrance
of his parents. After their death he was
taken to the home of his grandfather Lewis,
the grandfather dying when our subject was
ten years of age. Two years later, when he
was about twelve years of age, he accompanied
his grandmother and uncle to Pickaway
County, Ohio, and here he had his first
experience of frontier life. He grew to man-
hood in Pickaway County, and was there
married to Miss Margaret King, a native of
Ohio, whose parents removed to that State
from Maryland in an early day. In October,
1830, accompanied by his father-in-law, Isaac
King, he immigrated to Indiana, settling in
Rush County, and two years later removed to
Hancock County, where Mr. King continued
to reside until his death. In November,
1837, Mr. Lewis came with his family to
Vermillion County, and has since that date
been a resident of Highland Township, and
since March, 1851, he has resided on section

\\\

8, about six miles east of Danville, Illinois.
Mrs. Lewis died April 3, 1857, and April 10,
1859, Mr. Lewis was again married to Mrs.
Mary (Vandine) Craviston, widow of Samuel
Craviston. Bj his first marriage Mr. Lewis
had fourteen children, eleven of whom reached
maturity. Six are living at the present time
whose names are — Isaac, Eleanor, Sarah,
Nancy, Joshua and Meredith. Those who
died after reaching maturity are — John W.,
James A., Samuel C, Elizabeth and Mary.
Though now in his eighty-third year Mr.
Lewis is still active, and in good health, and
is surrounded with all the necessary comforts
of life. He has been a faithful and consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
for fifty-nine years.

fOSIAII SKIDMORE, farmer and stock-
raiser, section 22, Helt Township, was
born in the neighborhood of his present
home March 13, 1831, a son of Jolm Skid-
more, who was a native of Pennsylvania, of
English descent. John Skidmore came to
Yermillion County in 1818, and entered 160
acres of land in Ilelt Township, and in the
fall of the same year moved his family to
their new home. February 19, 1819, his
son William was born, and had the honor of
being tlie first white child born in the county.
lie died in 1881, aged sixty-two years. At
the time of Mr. Skidmore's settlement in tlie
county he had few neighbors except Indians,
and there was not a house between his place
and Fort Dearborn, the present site of Chicago,
Illinois, on the west, the Wabash River on
the east and Fort AVayne on the north. His
first home was a log cabin and his furniture
was of the most primitive description. He
cleared and improved Ins land until it was
one of the best in the township, and made it

his home until his death. Josiah Skidmore
was reared in his native township, and is a
prominent and influential citizen in the
county. He was married February 25, 1855,
to Phoebe A. White, daughter of Enoch
White, a pioneer of the county. Mr. and
Mrs. White are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.

tUFUS P. LITTLE, farmer and stock,
raiser, resides on section 16, Vermillion
Township, where he owns a good farm
of 119 acres, and in addition to this he owns
ninety-three acres on another section. His
homestead is well improved, his buildings
being commodious and convenient and his
land being well drained and under good cul-
tivation. He is a native of Vermillion
County, born April 16, 1837, a son of Charles
and Rachel (Moore) Little, his father a native
of Virginia of Irish descent and his mother
of Ohio, of Irish and Welsh descent. His
parents came to Vermillion County in 1830,
and settled near Eugene, where they lived
seven years and then moved to the farm where
our subject now lives, where the father died
in 1854, aged fifty-seven years. The mother
died November 27, 1881, on her eighty-first
anniversary. They had a family of nine
children, seven of whom are living — Theo-
dore and William, of Kansas; Rufus P.; Lu-
cretia, wife of Joseph James; Rowena, wife
of Francis Walthall; Charles, and Eliza J.
At tiie time of his father's death Rufus I',
was the oldest child at home, and the respon-
sibility of managing the farm fell on him,
and although he was only seventeen years
old, he assumed the work of a man and was
the main dependence of his mother and the
younger children. He was married in 1803
to Sarah J. McNeely, who was born in Ver-

BIOGBAPHIGAL SKETCHES.

million County in 1846, and died in 1868,
leaving two children — Ella and Ennice. In
1869 he married Anna Noyes, a native of
Indiana, born in 1836. They have three
children — Fred CI., Grace and Clifford R.
Mr. Little is a Republican in politics. He
and his wife are members of the Methodist
Ejiiscopal church.

/^^APTAIN JOHN LINDSEY, residing
°j\y. in the neighborhood of the old Indiana
'4--'^ Furnace, Clinton Township, came to
Vermillion County, November 4, 1839, and
the day following his arrival he entered the
employ of the Furnace company. Soon after
he became superintendent of the furnace, and
had charge of its working force until he en-
tered the army. He was born at Portsmouth,
Scioto County, Ohio, November 4, 1814, a
son of William D. and Rhoda (Wilson) Lind-
sey, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and
the mother of New Jersey. Tlie father was
a soldier in the war of 1812, serving in a
company commanded by his brother, John
Lindsey, wlio died at Eugene, Vermillion
County, Indiana, lifty years ago. The par-
ents of our subject were married in Scioto
County, Ohio, June 21, 1813, and of the nine
children born to them, he was the eldest.
The remaining children are as follows— John-
son, still residing in Scioto County, Ohio;
James in Vigo County, Indiana; AVilson in
Franklin County, Missouri; Sely, who is blind,
lives with his brother James; Martha Jane,
deceased wife of John V. Bly; William D.
lives in Crawford County, Illinois; Harriet
Ann, widow of Edward Walton, lives in
Iowa, and Angeline died aged thirteen years.
Captain John Lindsey, the subject of this
sketch, is a self-made and self-educated man,
his entire attendance at school being but three

months in the subscription schools of his day.
As soon as old enough he began work in iron
production and became a molder. His father
was a boatman on the Scioto Rivev until
coming to Vermillion County. All the fam-
ily came to this county togetlier, with the
exception of Johnson, the second son, who
remained in Ohio. The father entered the
employ of the Furnace company, but not long
afterward he settled on a tract of 160 acres,
bought by our subject, where he died March
5, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-two
years. His widow survived until Noveml'er
4, 1875, dying at the age of seventy-seven
years, cared for until her death by her son
John. Our subject was united in marriage
March 30, 1845, to Miss Mahala Boyce, a
native of New Hampshire, born in 1819,
coming in 1839 to Vermillion County, with
herfather. He wasan emjjoye of the Furnace
company in Clinton Township. To Mr. and
Mrs. Lindsey a daughter was born Deceu^ber
16, 1846, who died the day of her birth, Mrs.
Lindsey dying four days later. Her father
died the same year he came to this county,
her mother surviving until 1874. Three of
her sisters and one brother are living, named
Polly, Roxanna, Diana and Edwin, all with
Captain Lindsey, members of the same house-
hold. No man in Vermillion County is more
widely known or more warmly greeted wher-
ever he goes than Captain Lindsey. He
recruited almost all of Company I, Fourteenth
Indiana Infantry, sixty of the men in its
ranks being employes under liim from one
to ten years. The Fourteenth was the first
three years regiment from Indiana to reach
the front, and participated in McClellan's
first battle at Rich Mountain, West Virginia.
July 12, 1861, and at Winchester, Virginia,
in Shields' battle with General Stonewall
Jackson, March 23, 18G2. At Winchester
Captain Lindsey was shot through the right

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

thigh, necessitating a surgical operation which
shortened his limb three and a half inches.
For gallantry there he was oflFered a Major's
commission, but lie determined to remain
with his own company, who regarded him as
a father rather than an officer. lie also de-
termined if he could to remain by his men in
the field at the battle of Antietam, and went
in using a crutch and cane, but under the
excitement of that day he was soon able to
do duty witliout either. But his active ser-
vice ended there. As Assistant Provost-
Marshal in charge of Camp Lindsey, at Terre
Haute, under Colonel K. W. Thompson, Pro-
vost-Marshal, he placed over 1,400 men in
the field. His own personal popularity did
much toward saving Clinton Township for
any draft. As Assistant Provost-Marshal
his services only ended with the end of the
war, covering four years and six months. He
now receives a pension of 824 a month. His
wife's brothers, Edwin P. and Danvers C.
Boyce, were soldiers in tlie Eighty-fifth Indi-
ana Infantry, and his brother William Lindsey
served in his company, and was detailed to
care for him when wounded. Captain Lind-
sey, when the war commenced was a radical
Democrat, and from that time was as strong a
Pepublican. He is a comrade of Owen Post,
No. 329, G. A. E., and a member of Sanford
Lodge, No. 330, A. F. & A. M.

fOIIN F. LANGSTON, one of the most
active and enterprising citizens of Sum-
mit Grove, was born in Helt Townsliip,
Yermillion County, Indiana, near Dana,
February 18, 1849, a son of John M. and
Mary (Skidmore) Langston, who were among
the early pioneers of the county. In his
yuntli he received a fair common school edu-
cation. He was roared a tarraer, and made

that his principal vocation until 1882, wh-.n
in September of that year he came to Summit
Grove and engaged in the mercantile business,
and has since established a good trade, carry-
ing a full line of general stock, and also sells
champion harvesters, and other agricultural
implements. lie also deals in grain, poultry
and general country produce, and in addition
to his business he is express and railroad agent
at Summit Grove as well as assistant post-
master. Mr. Langston was married April
14, 1874, to Miss Eliza Jackson by whom he
liad two children, both of whom are deceased.
Mrs. Langston died February 2, 1877, and
Mr. Langston was again married Marcli 15,
1885, to Mrs. Sarah V. Shannon, widow of
the late Frank Shannon, and a daughter of
John Taylor, of Vermillion County. Tiicy
are the parents of one cliild, a daughter named
Jennie Mabel. Mr. Langston never seeks
official honors. He is a man of strict integ-
rity, honorable in all his dealings, and dur-
ing his residence at Summit Grove has gained
the respect and confidence of all who know him.

W( )KTII W. POETEPt, a worthy repre-
i^ciitative of one of Vermillion Coun-
l=B^5r-i ty's old pioneer families, is a native
of this county, born in Eugene Township,
June 11, 1857. His father, John W. Porter,
who is now deceased, was also a native of
Vermillion County, a son of the noted Judge
John E. Porter, who was one of the most
prominent of the early settlers. John W.
Porter was a farmer and a stock-raiser,
vocation he followed until his death which
occurred June 15, 1873. The maiden name
of his wife was llettie Tipton, and they were
the parents of nine children, seven of whom
yet survive — Mary, Abbie, Jennie, Minnie,
John, Zoe and Worth W., the subject of this

sketch. One daughter, named Lizzie, died
after her marriage, leaving a family of three
children. Worth W. Porter was reared to
agricultnral pursuits on the home farm in
Eugene Township, and in his youth received
a fair common-school education. lie was
married November 29, 1879, to Miss Louisa
Campbell, a daughter of Hogan Campbell, of
Eugene Township. This union has been
blessed with three childreTi, named Jessie,
Jennie and Clarence. Mr. Porter resides on
section 9, Eugene Township, where he owns
sixty-three acres of choice land, and in con-
nection with his general farming is engaged
in dealing in stock. Both he [and his wife
are members of tlie Cumberland Presbyterian
church, and among the most respected citizens
of Eugene To^vnship.

tOBERT H. NIXON, one of the leading
business men of Newport, succeeded
James F. Weller in the drug business
February 11, 1863, the business having been
established by John Q. Washburn in the
early history of the town. Mr. Nixon has
been longer in business than any of the busi-
ness men of Newport, and by his accommo-
dating manners, reasonable prices and strict
attention to the wants of his customers, lie
has met with excellent success. lie began
life a poor boy, and by his good man-
agement lias acquired a competence. He
was born in Newport, Vermillion County,
May 24, 18-42, and here he grew to manhood.
In Jul}', 1861, he enlisted in Company C,
Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and served in
Missouri under General Fremont. After
being in the service a year he was discliarged
for disability, a bronchial affection brought
on by c.Npcsiire. He was united in marriage
to Miss Maria Hefflemau, a i;ative of Vermill-

ion County, born May 4, 1844, her parents,
Elias and Phoebe Ileffleman, coming from
Ohio to this county in an early day. Mr.
and Mrs. Nixon are the parents of seven
children, two sons and five daughters. In
politics Mr. Nixon is a Eepublican, castin<>-
his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin-
coln in 1864. Mr. Nixon is the only son of
Joshua and Margaret Ni.xon. Tlie fiither was
born in Adams County, Ohio, where he was
reared to the avocation of a farmer. He
was of Irish descent, his parents being natives
of the Emerald Isle. After coming to New-
port, Vermillion County, he engaged in
building and running flat-boats down to New
Orleans by way of the Wabash, Ohio and
Mississippi rivers. He was married in Ohio
after locating in Newport, to Miss Margaret
Lovejoy, a daughter of Joseph Lovejoy, a
descendant of the family of which Owen
Lovejoy was a member. She is now deceased.
In 1847 the father of our subject engaged in
the business of cabinet making and under-
taking at Newport wliich he followed until
his death. He was an honest, industrious
citizen, and was respected by all who knew
him. His brother, Robert Nixon, came to
Newport as early as 1836. He was a car-
penter by trade, and Avas also engaged for a
time in flat-boating with his brother. He
removed to Kansas in 1872, where he is now
living at the advanced age of eighty-three
years.

MAMES B. RICHARDSON, residing on
'Mi section 6, Highland Township, is a native
'^ of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in
Eugene Township, October 27, 1830, a son of
Alexander and Mahala (Cox) Richardson, tlie
former born in Bedford County, rennsylva-
nia, in 1799, and the latter a native of Ken-

UIHTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

tucky, boru in Knox County in 1810. The
father of our subject came to Yermillion
County in 1826, having lived a short time
previous in Bloomington, Indiana. lie made
his home iu Eugene Township until about
1832, wlien he removed to rerrysville. In
early life he learned the art of distilling, and
later he engaged in the manufacture of
pumps, which he followed man)' years, sup-
plying the early settlers. Later in life he
followed the occupation of farming. At the
breaking out of the war of the Eebellion he
resolved, although then sixty-three years of
age, to offer his services to the Government,
which were accepted, and he became a mem-
ber of the Thirteentli Missouri Infantry. He
entered the army through motives of pure
patriotism, and gave his life for his country,
lie fought with his regiment at Fort Donel-
son, wliere he became disabled from the
effects of the exposure he had undergone, and
■was soon after transferred to the Invalid
Corps. He died at Indianapolis, March 28,
1861. The mother of our subject died at the
home of her son, James B. Richardson, March
3, 1880, aged seventy years and three days.
She was a daughter of Amos Cox, a native of
jSIorth Carolina, who settled iu Kentucky
when twenty-five years old. He subsequently
came to Indiana, and settled near Blooming-
ton in an early day. Four of the sons of
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Richardson were
soldiers in the late war. Edward was a mem-
ber of Company C, Twelfth Illinois Infantry;
was -wounded in the left arm at the battle of
Shiloh, from the effects of which he died a
few months later. Alexander enlisted with
his father in the same regiment, and served
until the close of the war. His regiment, the
Thirteenth Missouri, after a time was con-
solidated with the Twenty-second Ohio, and
was afterward known as the Twenty-second
Oliio, Henry G., the youngest son, was too

young to enter the service at the beginning
of the war, but later served as a member of
Company D, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry.
James B. Richardson, tbe subject of this
sketch, enlisted first in the Twelfth Illinois
Infantry for ninety days, and later became a
member of the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, in
which he served during the last two years of
the war, being on duty in Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Alabama and' Georgia, and was actively
engaged during his whole term of service.
The remaining children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Richardson are as follows — Horace, the eldest
son, resides in Vernon County, Missouri;
Homer died in 1853, aged about twenty
years; Elizabeth is the wife of Esau McFall,
of Danville, Illinois; Mary is the wife of
Peter Olipliant, also living in Danville, Illi-
nois. James B. Richardson was reared in
Vermillion County, to the avocation of a
farmer, and is still engaged in agricultur;il
pursuits. He has resided on his present
homestead since 18i4, with the exception of
the time spent in the war, and is classed
among the most respected and intelligent
men in Highland Township. In politics he
is a strong adherent to the principles of the
Republican party, and has served his town-
ship as assessor several times. Mrs. Rich-
ardson was formerly Miss Corintha JS^ichols,
and is a daughter of AVilliam Nichols, of
Highland Township. Five children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, whose
names are — Homer, Snsan A., Ettie, Emma
and James J.

fOIlN PEER, farmer, section 3, Helt
Township, Yermillion County, was born
in the same township, August 12, 1833,
a son of John Peer, who was born in Frank-
lin County, Ohio, nejir ColnuiLius. He came

niOGRAPHICA L SKETCHES.

to Veriiiillion County, Indiana, when a boy,
Avliere he hired out as a farm hand. He sub-
sequently settled near Newport, and in 1831
moved to Ilelt Township, where he made his
home until his death. The subject of this
sketch was reared on his father's farm, to
agricultural pursuits, and his education was
obtained in the rude log cabin subscription
schools of pioneer days, with their slab seats
and puncheon floor. He was married in
Scptemlter, 1857, to Miss Mahala Crusour, a
(laughter of Moses Crusour, deceased. Ten
children were born to them, of whom nine
are still living—William F., Mary C, David
]\1., Martha J., Emma, James O., Pi-ior, Lydia
A. and Rlioda E. Mrs. Peer died July 7,
1879, and December 14, 1884, Mr. Peer mar-
ried Mrs. Lucy E. Dicken, a daughter of
Joseph Fisher, and widow of Joel Dicken.
P)y her first marriage she had Ave children,
two of whom are deceased — Henry F., who
died at the age of eighteen years, and Mar-
tha A., died in her seventh year. The names
of her living children are — Allen P., Flora
P. and William A. Mr. Peer has always fol-
lowed farming, in which he has been very'
successful, and is now the owner of 140 acres
of choice land. In connection with his gen-
eral farming he is engaged in stock-raising.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
He and his wife and his three eldest daugh-
ters are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.

fiCllOLAS T. LEITOiV, farmer, section
26, Helt Township, was born in Ross
County, Ohio, August 25, 1834, a sou
of Thomas Leiton, a native of Virginia, and
an early settler of Ohio. In 1836 the family
came to Vei'million County, Indiana, and
settled in Ilelt Township where in connection

with working at his trade, blacksmith, the
father engaged in farming. Nicholas T. was
reared a farmer and has always devoted his
attention to agriculture, a vocation he has
follo\v(,'d with protit. He now owsis a
tine farm of 140 acres, all well improved, and
his residence and farm buildings are models
of comfort and convenience. Mr. Leiton was
given good educational advantages attending
in his childhood the common school and later
the Farmer's Institute, at Clinton, and the
Newport graded schools, and after leaving
school he taught live or six winter terms.
He is a man of intelligence and well informed
on all the general topics of the day, and is
one of the most respected citizens of his
township. He was married March 2, 1862,
to Mary White, daughter of Enoch White,
an early settler of Helt Township. Their
only child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
Leiton are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, of which he is Sunday-school
superintendent. In politics he is a Repub-
lican.

i;s. SARAH (VANNEST) MA
LONE is the oldest resident now
living in Yermillion (bounty, and is a
daughter of John and Mary (Taylor) Van-
nest, the pioneer family of the county. Poth
of her parents were born in Pennsylvania, but
married in the State of Ohio. Her father
visited Vermillion County early in the year
1816, and selected lands on section 9, Clinton
Township, a mile above the present site of
Clinton, which he purchased a tthe Vincennes
land sales, and immediately moved his
family, then consisting of wife and four
children, to their future home. They settled
in a hastily erected log cabin in the south-
west quarter of the section, and soon after began

rSSSSM^SSSB

HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

to be troubled by tlieir ludiau neighbors.
It is said that not long before their arrival,
in a quarrel between two soldiers, a gun
discharged by one of them, missed the other
and killed a squaw, and for this the Indians
vowed that the first white woman who
crossed the Wabash should be killed. Mrs.
Vannest therefore became the object of their
retaliating vengeance, and two attempts to
murder her were frustrated, once by a
friendly Indian who had become attached to
the family, and another time by the interfer-
ence of her brother. Mr. Vannest then re-
moved his family for safety to Fort Harrison,
but returned himself and pi-osecuted the work
of clearing and preparing his land for crops.
Not long after this the trouble with the Indians
ceased, and the family returning to their pio-
neer home lived ever afterward in peace.
Mr. Tannest was possessed of considerable
means, and carried on the work of improve-
ment with characteristic energy, and soon
became the owner of the entire section,
nearly all of which is still in possession of
his descendants. It is claimed that from this
section over forty men entered the service of
the Government during the war of the Re-
bellion. The Yannest home was the abode
of hospitality'. Mr. Yannest never turned
any one from his door, especially a man in
need, and never failed to helji the needy if
called upon. He was a man who feared
nothing, and his true courage was often
tested in the early days of the county. Active
and energetic he rapidly acquired a good prop-
erty. In 1835 he Imilt a brick house, two
stories in height, where Mrs. Malone now
lives, which in those years was considered
one of the best residences in Clinton Town-
ship. He lived in this house until his
death, which occurred September 28,1842, at
the age of sixty-two years, leaving an estate
consisting of section 9 (610 acres), besides a

farm of 160 acres, also in Clinton Township,
and lands in Parke County. Mrs Mary
Yannest died August 29, 1824, aged forty
years. The four eldest children of Mr. and
Mrs. Yannest are — Leah, deceased, wife cif
Carr Malone; Samuel, deceased; Mrs. Sarah
Malone and Jane (twins), the latter deceased,
wdfe of Thomas Kibby. The children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Yannest after coming to Air-
million County are — John, who was tlie firtl
M-hite child born in the county; Betsey, de-
ceased, wife of Isaac S.^Palmer; Mary married
John Jacques, and died in March, 1848 ; Isaac,
living in Helt Township. Mrs. Sarah Malonr,
whose name heads this sketch, was marriid
January 12, 1834, to Scott Malone, who wa^
born in Butler County, Ohio, June 15, ISdS.
a son of Hartley Malone. He was reared in
his native State, and early in life learned the
cooper's trade. He was among the pioneers
of Yeruiillion County, settling in Helt Town-
ship in an early day. He became a flat-boat-
man and a competent river pilot, and fol-
lowed the rivers many years before and aftti'
marriage. He then settled down on the
Yannest homestead, and many years aftei'-
ward rebuilt the old brick house, the founda-
tion of which was becoming unsafe. Mr.
Malone died March 30, 1860, and at the time
of his death was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. In politics he was first
a "Whig, but atfiliated with the Republican
party from its organization. Mr. and Mrs.
Malone were the parents of the following
children — Johnson, now a resident of Clinton ;
Stuart, who died aged five years; Mary M.,
died in infancy; Martha J., wife of Henry A.
White, died February 6, 1887, leaving four
children; Walter S. died December 28, 1886,
j at the home of his mother aged forty -
I four years; Ruam died in her twenty-
third year in 1867: Morton died in 18S3. at
the home of his mother, aged thirty-six years;

niOG IIA Pine A L s KE TCIIKS.

Fanny nian-ied Alouzo Ilostetter, and died at
(Jlinton ill 1875, aged twenty-live years; John,
the youngest, is living on tlie homestead
with his mother. He was born January 3,
1853, and April 5, 1875, was married to Miss
Rose Aldrich, a daughter of Montorville
Aldrieli. This union has been blessed with
live children, wliose names are Fannie, Scott,
George, Clyde and Ralph.

fOJIN NORRIS, farmer and stock-raiser,
resides on section 22, Vermillion Town-
ship, where he owns 218 acres of choice
land. He is a native of Vermillion County,
born November 7, 1834, a son of Robert S.
and Martha (Nichols) Nori'is, natives of South
Carolina. The parents came to Indiana in
1!S30, and settled on the farm now owned by
our subject, which at that time was an uncul-
tivated tract of land. On this farm they
passed the remainder of their lives, the father
dying in 1877, aged seventy-three years.
They had a family of seven children, four of
whom are living — Elizabeth, Caroline, John
and Lewis. When they came to Indiana they
were poor, but they went bravely to work and
by economy and good management accumu-
lated a good property, owning at one time 800
acres of valuable land. John Norris vv'as
reared a farmer, and has made agriculture his
lifework. He was married in 185S to Martha
Merriman, a native of Tennessee, born in
1837. They had four children— Clara and
Clarissa (twins), the latter being the wife of
'Benjamin Nicholas; William A. and an in-
fant unnamed. Mrs. Norris died and in 1866
]V[r. Norris married Sarah E. French, who
was born in Parke County, Indiana, in 1838, a
daughter of Philip and Sarah French. They
have three children — Rohert S., George and
Philip. Mr. Norris is a member of the Ma-

sonic fraternity. Lodge No. 320, which he
has served as treasurer. In politics he affili-
ates with the Democratic party.

•T^OAII HEDGES, a representative of one
■'I j of the old and honored pioneer families
^. L of Vermillion County, Indiana, was
born in Clinton Township, April 19, 1836.
His father, William Hedges, was born in
Otsego County, New York, October 24,
1801, and in 1819, when eighteen years
old, was in Vermillion County on Govern-
ment survey. In 1823 he married Pamelia
Alden, and directly after his marriage he
came to this county and established his resi-
dence in Clinton Townshijj, being one of the
first settlers, making a permanent home not
long afterward on section 25. Here he lived
until shortly before his death, which occurred
in the city of Clinton, October 24, 1873, on
the seventy-second anniversary of his birth.
He came to the county in limited circum-
stances, having not over $200 capital, but be-
ing an active, energetic man he soon stood
well to the front. He was a carpenter by
trade, and often worked at this occupation
for 50 cents a day. He became the owner
of about 700 acres of land, and after giving
his children a good start in life, he left a good
estate. He was a man of pul)lic spirit, and
did much towai-d developing the resources of
the county. In 1844 he erected a saw-mill
on Brouillet's Creek, and some timelater added
to it a grist-mill. Some twenty years after-
ward he moved his mill to Clinton, and there
operated it until his death. During his
later years he was a member of the L'^nited
Brethren church. His widow still survives
and is living with her married daughter, Mrs.
Alma Shew, near her pioneer home, lieing
now eighty-four years of age. Eleven cliil

BISTORT OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

dreu were born to Mr. and Mrs. William
Hedges — Mrs. Irene Shew, of Clinton Town-
ship; Mrs. Mary A. Shew, also of Clinton
Township; Samuel, who died January 1,
1873; Milton, a resident of Terre Haute, In-
diana; Noah, whose name heads this sketch;
Columbus C, of Clinton Township; Mrs.
Alma Shew; AVilliam was a member of the
Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and was killed
at the battle of Chancellorville, Virginia, in
1863; Mrs. Catherine Hall resides on part of
the old homestead in Clinton Township,
and two children who died in early life. Noah
Hedges has spent all of his life in Vermill-
ion County, and now lives on section 25,
Clinton Township, not eighty rods from his
birth-place. He has been twice married, and
a daughter of his first wife became the wife
of Charles E. Welker. She died in CUnton
Township February 24, 1883, in her twenty-
third year, after about one year of married
life. Mr. Hedges married his present wife,
formerly Miss Hannah Tennis, *March 17,
1872. She is a native of Ohio, born Janu-
ary 12, 1848, a daughter of Allen and Mary
Tennis. The father died in Clinton Town-
ship during the war of the Kebellion. Her
mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Hedgts
have tive children living — Baraba I., May-
nard A'., Ernest V., Maud II., Esta JE.
Their fifth child, a son named Charles E.,
died in infancy. Mr. Hedges is a thorough,
practical farmer, which is well indicated by
his farm of 120 acres of finely cultivated
laud. He is a member of the United Breth-
ren church. Mrs. Hedges belongs to the
Baptist church.

fLIAS LAMB, of Newport, was born in
Kandolph County, North Carolina.
'^^*' about sixteen miles north of Ashland,

the date of his birth being September 24,
1814. In April, 1829, his parents, Joseph
and Lydia (Adamson) Lamb, left North Caro-
lina for Indiana, bringing their family to
Wayne County. There the parents lived on
a farm until tlieir death, the mother dying
in 1844, and the father in 1855. They were
members of the Society of Friends. Of the
nine children born to them seven grew to
maturity, of whom five are living at the pres-
ent writing as follows — Esther, Elias, Mur-
nen, Joseph and Ithamer. Of the above, all
with the exception of one son is living in
Indiana. Elias Lamb, the subject of this
sketch, was reared on his father's farm to
agricultural pursuits. March 23, 1837, he
married Miss Susannah Bish, a native of
Fairfield County, Ohio, born November 17,
1818, a daughter of John and Ann Elizabeth
Bish, with whom she came to Wayne County,
Indiana, in 1836. Her 2:)arents lived in
Wayne County many years, and subsequently
removed to Miami County, where the mother
died. Later the father returned to Wayne
County and died on the old homestead. j\[r.
and Mrs. Bish reared a family of ten children
to maturity, of whom two sons and four
daughters yet survive. After their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Lamb settled in Wayne County,
living there many years. Mr. Lamb learned
the carpenter's trade at which he worked in
connection with farming. In 1870 he came
to Vermillion County, locating on a farm
near Perrysville. In March, 1873, he bought '
and removed to a farm in Vermillion To^\Il
ship, where he lived until March 3, ISST,
when he purchased the pleasant home in
Newport where he now resides, enjoying thr
fruits of a well spent life. Mr. and IMre.
Lamb celebrated their golden wedding Manh
23, 1887, at which there was a large attend-
ance of the old settlers, and nearly all of their
children and grandchildren were also present.

BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Thej liave Lad ten cliildren born to them —
Azel E., Irvin R., Elizabeth J., John V.,
Leanna, Carrie, Merritt C, Eluiira C, and
L^'dia F., living, and Lewis K., their fourth
child, died aged one and a half years. They
have in 1887, twenty living grandchildren
and eight great-grand children. October 12,
1883, Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were attacked by
burglars at their home, Mr. Lamb being
severely injured, and has never fully recovered
from the etfects. In 1841 he and his wife
united by letter M'ith the, United Brethren
church in Wayne County, and recently trans-
ferred their letters to the same church in
Nevvjxirt. Politically Mr. Lamb was a Free-
Soiler until 1856, since which he lias affiliated
with the liepublican party. They are among
the most respected citizens in Vermillion
County, and are ever foremost in deeds of
Christian cliarity and benevolence.

— V-^-f*!^-—

tlENZI M. WHITE, one of the active
and enterprising agricultui-ists of Ilelt
Township, residing on section 27, was
born in the same